2 Over-The-Counter Cataract Treatment Eye Drops: Are They Safe & Effective?

21 September 2016
 Categories: Health & Medical , Blog


If you suffer from cataracts, then you may have come across cataract treatments being sold at health food stores and over the internet and wonder if they really work. Two treatments that have recently entered the market are homeopathic cataract eye drops and eye drops containing n-acetylcarnosine, and both are available without a prescription. Read on to learn about these two types of cataract treatment eye drops and if they are safe and effective. 

1. Homeopathic Cataract Eye Drops

As you browse the eye-care aisles of health food stores and your local grocery stores, you may come across homeopathic cataract eye drops containing ingredients with numbers with x's after them, such as 10x or 6x. To decide whether or not you think these eye drops will be effective, you must learn exactly what homeopathic medicine is. Today's doctors and scientists do not believe that homeopathy is effective medicine. Homeopathic medicine was created centuries ago before modern medicine was developed, and while it still has a large following, modern scientists have debunked the claims made by homeopathic enthusiasts. 

Are these eye drops safe? If you do decide to give homeopathic cataract eye drops a try, it is important to speak to your eye doctor about them first. If you are given the "okay" by your doctor, then be sure to never use these drops more than four times a day if they contain preservatives, which most eye drops do. While preservatives are necessary in eye drops to prevent bacteria growth in them while they are sitting on store shelves, overuse of any eye drops that contain preservatives can be toxic to your eyes. 

2. N-Acetylcarnosine Cataract Treatment Eye Drops

N-acetylcarnosine, or NAC, is a natural chemical compound that has been shown in studies to improve the vision of many people who have cataracts when used daily for 6 to 24 months. Most NAC eye drops on the market also contain water, preservatives, and glycerin. While the few studies that have been conducted have been promising, it is important to know that these eye drops are not FDA approved, and most scientific researchers agree that these drops do not completely cure cataracts, as many manufacturers state, and while they may help some people, others have not seen similar cataract-clearing results. 

Are they safe? Like when trying any cataract treatment, it is important to discuss NAC eye drops with your eye doctor before trying them. Since the products being sold are not FDA regulated, realize they are not subject to the strict standards set by the FDA for drugs, but are instead sold as supplements. Over the years, many eye supplements have been proven to not contain what is listed on the label, so if your eye doctor gives you their approval to try the drops, it is very important to ask your doctor for a brand recommendation that he or she trusts. 

If you or someone you love suffers from cataracts, then you may see the new over-the-counter cataract treatments and wonder if they really work. The truth is that the only cure for cataracts today is surgery, and using unregulated eye drops can pose a hazard to your or your loved one's eye health. For more information, contact local professionals like Eye Care & Surgery.


Share