Coming soon – a treatment method to protect eyes from cataract

Researchers have taken a step closer to prevent cataract from striking by discovering the molecular mechanism that leads to the eye disease.

Rachel Martin, UC Irvine associate professor of chemistry and co-author of the study that understanding the molecular mechanism of what goes wrong in the eye that leads to a cataract could lead to the development of better treatment options, including more sophisticated artificial lenses and drugs.

It has long been known that human eyes have a powerful ability to focus because of three kinds of crystalline proteins in their lenses, maintaining transparency via a delicate balance of both repelling and attracting light. (Read: 'Cataract surgery is not urgent but is definitely required')

Two types of crystalline are structural, but the third dubbed a 'chaperone' keeps the others from clumping into cataracts if they're modified by genetic mutation, ultraviolet light or chemical damage.

The UC Irvine team painstakingly explored and identified the structures of the normal proteins and a genetic mutation known to cause cataracts in young children.

They found that the chaperone proteins bind far more strongly to the mutated proteins in an effort to keep the lens clear. One major problem: Every human eye contains a finite number of the helpful proteins. Once they're used up, the researchers learned, weakened ones quickly begin to aggregate and form blinding cataracts.

The study is published in the journalStructure.

What causes a cataract?

One of the most common causes of cataracts is increasing age which causes the lens to harden and turn cloudy. Other less common causes of development of cataract are injuries, infections, radiations and diabetes. In rare cases, children are born with the condition.

What are the symptoms one need to watch out for?

Some of the symptoms of a foreseeable cataract include blurred vision, double vision, image distortion, sensitivity to glare and the need to change glasses frequently.

What are the treatments available?

There is no scientifically proven medicine that can reduce or dissolve cataracts. Surgical removal is the only option.

When should one be operated for a cataract?

One should consider surgery as soon as the cataract starts interfering with the patient's lifestyle. You should ideally seek a seasoned ophthalmologist's opinion before considering surgery. (Read more: Cataracts - all you need to know)

With inputs from ANI

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