Researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology are working with an antioxidant—N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA)—that could prevent or cure cataracts, macular degeneration and other degenerative eye disorders.
Compared to cataract-induced rats, those that received NACA showed markedly less opacity.
In an experiment on rats, “the NACA solution prevented cataracts from forming,” says lead researcher Nuran Ercal, M.D. “Our research will build on [prior] research, to see if NACA can actually reverse the degeneration as well.”
Dr. Ercal says NACA is an improvement over another experimental treatment, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), because it passes more easily across cell membranes, allowing the medication to be used in lower doses.
