Will this cure cataracts?

 

 

 This is n-acetyl carnosine, an antioxidant developed by Dr Mark Babizhayev who claims that his product has beneficial effects when applied to eyes with cataract. I was interested in this product around ten years ago and conducted some preliminary research into its use in 30 dogs, which we published in the peer reviewed journal Veterinary Ophthalmology. The big question is does this compound work to resolve cataract, rendering this sort of eye visual again?

 The simple answer from our research (available at http://davidlwilliams.org.uk/resources/file0256.pdf) is that in mature blinding cataracts the eyedrop appears to have no beneficial effect whatsoever. In the very earliest stages of lens opacification there may be some slowing of cataract development but if a dog has a severe cataract the only treatment, and a very effective one at that, is phacoemulsification surgery, as shown below. If you are reading this as a dog owner and your pet is becoming blind, or is already blind, visit a veterinary ophthalmologist to discuss surgery before inflammatory changes or retinal detachment render surgery less likely to be successful.

 

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2 Responses to Will this cure cataracts?

  1. Interesting; I think I’ll have a read of the journal of Veterinary Ophthalmology. Could have big implication if there are positive results.

  2. Simon says:

    What do you think about aldose reductase inhibitors for diabetic dogs- eg Can-c NAC eye drops from health food shops? The theory is that they should stop cataracts forming, but do they- or is black pepper(oral) more effective!

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