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 so far, the only way to restore cleared vision has been surgery.

Enter the latest development in cataract control, which may be available in as little 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.

We’ll keep you informed as this exciting development unfolds.

If you’re providing senior care at home for a loved one in the Chicago area, and are concerned about vision issues, our senior care specialists can help! We can provide a free in-home care assessment and make home modification recommendations to ensure that your loved one feels safe and secure. Contact A-Abiding Care’s Chicago home health care team today!