Let’s face it: cataracts and aging go together like peaches and cream. 90% of those age 65 and older develop cataracts, and by the age of 75, as many as 50% have experienced vision loss as a result of them. And to date, the only recourse to restore cleared vision has been surgery.
Enter the latest development in cataract control, which may be available in as soon as five to ten years: eye drops that can dissolve the damaged crystalline proteins that cataracts are made up of. Tested in both mice and humans, Jason Gestwicki of the University of California at San Francisco and leader of the study stated, “We did see very promising improvements in transparency and protein solubility in the lens … although not a complete reversal.”
Studies are continuing, and the outlook for an effective eye drop-based treatment is bright, expected to be both inexpensive and non-toxic, according to J. Fielding Hejtmancik of the US National Institutes of Health.
Stay tuned and we’ll keep you updated on this exciting development. If you have a loved one who is facing challenges due to cataracts or other senior care issues, our in-home caregivers can help! Contact Independence-4-Seniors Home Care to learn more about our senior care services.