A cataract is an eye problem which clouds the eye lenses and hence compromises on vision. Usually, this problem happens only with old age people but children can also be a victim given the heredity factor. It is a very common disease.
Problems pertaining to cataract
1. Given the widespread of this disease and its consequences, it is very imperative to get it cured.
2. This becomes a problem in developing countries because of the cost factor. The surgeries cost a lot and most people cannot afford it.
3. A poor health system can also act as a setback in this condition.
4. Drug treatment can be a solution, but there can be many irreversible and suffering consequences.
How the eye drops curing cataract were found?
Professor Kang Zhang from University of California San Diego and his team is behind this research. Here are their findings:
1. Congenital cataracts had a mutation in the gene that produces a small molecule called lanosterol. there is a healthy version of this molecule available which if used can prevent cataract causing proteins from clumping together.
2. This lanosterol sample was then tested against rabbits. The rabbits that had cataract eyes were brought to testing and the cataract eye was kept in lanosterol solution for six days. That resulted in lens clarity a lot.
3. However, these drops couldn’t wipe off the problem completely as these rabbits were infected again.
Setbacks in the discovery
1. Doctors claim that getting an eye surgery done is the permanent and better solution compared to these eye drops as they make you 20-year-old again with no murkiness in vision.
2. These eye drops can fight only the early signs of cataract which is both a benefit as well as a disadvantage.
Is there any hope for future?
Yes. The researchers say that, though as of now, the eye drops are not doing the trick, but they will in the near future because the developing countries have poor health system and given the ever increasing population, the surgery can not be the only option.
This is an amazing discovery. Though it was tested on animals like rabbit and dogs, let’s hope that it is brought to action and that too soon!