Is there a cataract drug that is more effective without surgery?

Cataract is a condition when the lens of your eye, which should be transparent, becomes cloudy. The cause of cataracts is usually aging. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. The most effective cataract treatment is cataract removal surgery. However, there is an assumption that cataracts can heal without surgery. A number of drops contained in it are predicted to reduce the effects caused by cataracts. Is it true that the drug is effective in curing this condition? Check out the explanation below.

What types of drugs are known to treat cataracts?

Generally, to cure cataracts you will be advised to undergo surgery. However, doctors may not immediately recommend surgery if cataracts do not interfere with activities too much.

There are several eye drops that are said to be able to treat or reduce the effect of cataracts on your vision. The following include:

1. Lanosterol

Many studies have investigated cataract treatment with lanosterol. This drug belongs to a chemical compound called a sterol. Sterols are said to control the process of cataract formation.

A study published in BMC Medical Genetics examined the ability of supplemental lanosterol to reduce cataracts in two children with congenital cataracts at an early age. The study found that children with congenital cataracts blocked lanosterol, which is produced naturally by the eyes, as a result of a genetic mutation in their body. Additional lanosterol is known to help reduce the severity of cataracts and improve the clarity of the lens in the eye.

The American Optometric Association states that scientists suspect lanosterol has the ability to keep the eye lens clean by stopping the breakdown and clumping of proteins.

The study was carried out on mice and the human eye lens affected by cataracts that had been removed surgically. Researchers were then able to confirm that lanosterol could stop the development of a hereditary type of cataract and age-related cataracts in mice.

The study also found that lanosterol can stop the clotting of human lens proteins. This makes the lens of the eye transparent again.

However, research published by Scientific Reports in 2019 suggests the opposite. These studies provide no evidence that lanosterol compounds have anti-cataract activity or can bind to proteins to dissolve cataracts.

In conclusion, the chemical compound that is claimed to be a cataract drug has not been clearly proven to cure this condition. Further research is needed to test the extent to which lanosterol is effective as a cataract drug.

2.N-acetylcarnosine (NAC)

N-acetylcarnosine (NAC) is also claimed to be a cataract drug without surgery. A number of studies have been conducted to find out how effective this chemical compound is in treating cataracts.

Research published by Drugs In R & D in 2002 aimed to investigate the effect of 1% N-acetylcarnosine (NAC) on lens clarity for 6 and 24 months in patients with cataracts.

The study showed that benefits were seen with 24 months of treatment. Cataract patients do not show worsening of vision. This compound, which is said to be a cataract drug, does not show any side effects.

The study concluded that N-acetylcarnosine (NAC) could potentially be part of cataract treatment and prevention.

However, research published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews concludes there is no evidence that N-acetylcarnosine (NAC) can cure cataracts. These chemical compounds are also not proven to prevent the development of cataracts, in which case physical changes for the better or for the worse.

In conclusion, just like lanosterol, N-acetylcarnosine (NAC) has also not been shown to be effective as an alternative cataract drug besides surgery. Further research is needed to find more concrete evidence.

3. Herbal medicine

Lenses that are no longer transparent can be triggered by free radicals that cause protein changes and lead to cataracts. Some plant products are said to prevent this process, thus delaying the formation of fog on the transparent lens.

Natural compounds that contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory are said to be considered anti-inflammatory agents. However, not all plants that contain antioxidants have the potential to have anti-inflammatory properties.

The study published by Frontiers in Pharmacology describes how many medicinal plants are considered natural cataract remedies. The study analyzed more than 120 papers and found that there are about 44 years of drugs used in traditional cataract medicine as natural remedies.

Although there are many plants that "allegedly" can be natural remedies for cataracts, their efficacy has not been tested. Therefore, further research is needed to find out how effective these drugs can cure cataracts without surgery and the side effects that may arise.

Surgery is the most effective cataract medication

The explanation above concludes that cataract removal surgery is the most effective drug in treating cataracts. This operation is performed to correct your impaired vision due to cataracts.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, cataract surgery is also recommended if cataracts make it difficult for your eye doctor to check your other eye conditions.

However, delaying the procedure is usually harmless, so you can have time to think about whether or not you want to remove the cataract. If cataracts are interfering with your daily activities, surgery is the most effective medicine.

After having cataract surgery, you are usually given medication to reduce pain and swelling in the eye. These drugs include:

• Phenylephrine, which acts on the muscles in the iris
• Tropicamide, for relaxation of the pupillary sphincter (the muscle that surrounds the edge of the pupil)
• Cyclopentolate, to block the contraction of the pupillary sphincter muscles
• Atropine, to block the contraction of the pupillary sphincter muscles

Usually, you are allowed to go home the same day as your cataract surgery. However, your doctor may limit your activities, about a week after surgery, for recovery.