Scientists are trying to find treatments and cures for cataracts without
resorting to surgery. Joel Carillet/Getty Images
Surgery is currently the only solution for cataracts, which are the cloudy
areas that form in the lens of the eye and lead to blindness if left
untreated.
A new study investigated the use of a chemical compound called oxysterol to
treat cataracts without surgery in mice.
Almost half of the mice saw an improvement, however, more research will be
needed to confirm its benefits in humans.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 65.2 million people
worldwide are living with cataracts, the leading cause of blindness and
vision impairment worldwide.When a person develops a cataract, the normally clear lens in the eye
becomes cloudy. This often occurs with age, but can also be caused by the
eye’s overexposure to the sun or injury, as well as smoking, medical
conditions such as diabetes, and some medications.
resorting to surgery. Joel Carillet/Getty Images
Surgery is currently the only solution for cataracts, which are the cloudy
areas that form in the lens of the eye and lead to blindness if left
untreated.
A new study investigated the use of a chemical compound called oxysterol to
treat cataracts without surgery in mice.
Almost half of the mice saw an improvement, however, more research will be
needed to confirm its benefits in humans.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 65.2 million people
worldwide are living with cataracts, the leading cause of blindness and
vision impairment worldwide.When a person develops a cataract, the normally clear lens in the eye
becomes cloudy. This often occurs with age, but can also be caused by the
eye’s overexposure to the sun or injury, as well as smoking, medical
conditions such as diabetes, and some medications.
