Could There Be Another Option for Cataract Treatment Besides Surgery? | Laguna Hills Home Care
Let’s face it: aging and cataracts go together like peanut butter and jelly. 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 the control of cataracts, which may be available in as soon as five to ten years: eye drops that can dissolve the damaged crystalline proteins that cataracts are comprised 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.
As your Laguna Hills home care experts, we’ll keep you updated as this exciting development unfolds.
Have an older loved one who is facing challenges related to cataracts or other vision issues? CareWorks’ home care services are just what you need to help loved ones stay safe at home, get around town, and maintain overall independence. We can provide you with a home safety assessment to ensure your loved one’s environment is safer and more secure, transport and escort him or her to appointments, and provide personal care and companionship as needed. Contact us today to learn more about our Laguna Hills home care services!