NAC (N-Acetyl-Carnosine) cataract eye drops

There is a new forum, open to anyone who wants to discuss the eye drops selling on the internet that claim to be a curative for cataracts. It's probably worth checking out.

'http://www.forumforfree.com/forums/?mforum=naceyedrops'

 

You're not nearly as anonymous as you think, eyeguy. But this and your
previous posts regarding non-traditional treatments for cataracts does
deserve discussion in this forum.

CAN-C

The stuff you are "promoting", Can-C is sold by Innovative Vision
Products. Virtually 100% of the available clinical research on
n-acetylcarnosine (PubMed/Medline) comes from people directly associated
with the manufacture and sales of the product. Although there is
clearly (pun intended) some science behind the concept of protecting the
lens from oxidative stress to *prevent* cataract formation, there is
little to suggest one can reverse those changes that result in clouding
of the lens. The "studies" conducted by IVP were animal research and
they have not demonstrated a clear cause and effect relationship with
repeatable results, even on animals. So, in theory it looks promising.
In fact, there is no proof that it works on people.

FYI, Some years ago, n-a-c combined with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was
formulated for use as cataract treatment/prevention. There research
data, and the company doing it have disappeared. Did it work and
threaten the surgery/implant industry or was it a dismal failure and
bankrupt the company? Conspiracy theorists should have a great time with
that one!

But there are a couple of more interesting "drops" for cataracts to
discuss:

VITREOLENT. Rx

This is a solution of potassium and sodium iodide manufactured and sold
by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, by prescription, in Germany, Poland, Italy
and some other European countries. I have a patient (from Poland) who
uses this product. It was used rather extensively following the
Chernobel nuclear disaster. The primary application is/was to prevent
radiation-induced oxidative changes to the lens. I was unable to locate
(as of today) and clinical data that supports the efficacy of this
commercially available prescription drug, but one would think that
Novartis must have something. Perhaps someone fluent in German can dig
into their German-language documents and tell us more.

CATALIN

This is a solution of pirenoxine, from Takeda, Japan, and sold in a
number of countries around the world (but not in the USA or Canada).
Similar in concept to Can-C, it allegedly works by neutralizing
oxidative stress on the crystalline lens.

I would hope that you all see a common thread among the theoretical
treatment/prevention of cataracts as it relates to managing destructive
biochemical changes to the lens material. Meanwhile, your best bet for
now, I think, is to wear UV blocking sunglasses, eat a diet rich in
antioxidant foods and avoid being in the vicinity of a nuclear bomb.

--LB

--
Dr. Larry Bickford, O.D.
Family Practice Eye Health & Vision Care

The Eyecare Connection
http://www.eyecarecontacts.com
larrydoc at eye-care-contacts dot com (remove -)