Research into using carnosine eyes drops, which contain N-Acetyl Carnosine began in 1991. Studies indicated that carnosine may be biochemically altered inside the body to produce L-carnosine, which is an antioxidant. Aging of the lens in elderly patients may be in part due to decreased antioxidant levels and excess free radicals, leading to clouding of the lens and hence decreased eye sight or even blindness.
Additionally, studies using cataract models in animals appeared to show a benefit from the application of carnosine. Manufacturers believe that carnosine eye drops may be an alternative to surgery for cataracts in people. Many elderly people develop cataracts as their lens age and become cloudy. Surgery usually involves the removal of the aging lens and implantation with a prosthetic lens. However, cataract surgery is not without complications. A significant proportion of patients who have had cataract surgery may have to have another surgical procedure at a later time. This is due to opacification of the posterior lens capsule, which will require subsequent eye sugery to correct. In addition, many people have a fear of undergoing a surgical procedure and would like to have a medical option before deciding on cataract surgery.
Carnosine is present in high levels in the young lens, and may decrease as a result of the aging process. Carnosine eye drops are available without a prescription from many health food stores. Many people take these medications in the hope that they will prevent a person from developing cataracts. Physicians in China and Russia have been using carnosine eye drops to prevent and treat cataracts for a long period of time. Some opthalmologists claim that carnosine eye drops can clear up cataract eye problems in as little as three to six months. Especially in countries such as Great Britain where nationalized health insurance has meant long waiting periods for cataract surgery, patients are increasingly turning towards medical therapies for their cataracts such as carnosine eye drops.
As the United States population ages, a greater and greater number of people will need treatment for their cataracts, and this will placed increased burden on opthalmologists to perform an increasing number of these surgeries each year. A viable medical alternative for cataracts, such carnosine eye drops, may help to decrease some of these staggering health care costs.