Cataracts

Why it works: Antioxidant & anti-inflammatory actions. Curcumin scavenges reactive oxygen species and modulates oxidative-stress pathways. In a rat “selenite” cataract model, curcumin reduced le...

Instructions: Do not put turmeric/curcumin into your eyes. No over-the-counter or homemade turmeric eye drops are approved; unregulated drops can injure eyes. Stick to sterile, approved ophthalm...

Warnings: If you’re considering turmeric/curcumin, review these cautions and speak with your ophthalmologist/G...

Studies: Rat & cell models: Curcumin reduced oxidative stress mar...

Why it works: Antioxidant & anti-glycation effects. In lab and animal models, quercetin scavenges reactive oxygen species, reduces lens protein oxidation, and can inhibit non-enzymatic glycation...

Instructions: There are no evidence-based, clinically validated dosing instructions for treating cataracts with quercetin (no approved ophthalmic formulation; oral use for cataract is unproven)....

Warnings: It’s not an approved cataract treatment. No regulatory body currently approves quercetin eye drops f...

Studies: Cell & animal studiesHLEC studies showing oxidative-stre...

Why it works: Antioxidant effects in the lens. In rat “selenite” cataract models, oral rutin reduced oxidative damage, preserved glutathione and antioxidant enzymes, and slowed lens opacificatio...

Instructions: For cataracts specifically: there are no accepted clinical dosing instructions for rutin (oral or eye-drop) to treat cataracts. Major eye authorities emphasize that surgery is the...

Warnings: Medication interactions (notably blood thinners):. • Potential interaction with warfarin and other a...

Studies: Human clinical trials:Cochrane and AAO guideline syntheses c...

Why it works: Antioxidant & anti-fibrotic actions. Standardized ginkgo extracts (e.g., EGb 761 or LI 1370) contain flavone glycosides and terpene lactones that can reduce oxidative stress and ma...

Instructions: There are no established medical guidelines for using ginkgo to treat or prevent cataracts. The only controlled clinical regimen related to cataract care is for PCO prevention afte...

Warnings: Bleeding risk / surgery:. • Ginkgo can increase bleeding risk, especially with warfarin, heparin, an...

Studies: Randomized clinical trial (PCO prevention, 2025): 144 adults...

Why it works: Theory: Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is rich in anthocyanins—antioxidants proposed to protect ocular tissues from oxidative stress, a contributor to cataract formation. This bioc...

Instructions: Formulation: Choose a product standardized to ~25–36% anthocyanins/anthocyanosides (common for reputable extracts). Drugs.com. Studied doses (general, not cataract-specific): Bilbe...

Warnings: Leaves vs. fruit: Bilberry fruit (as food) is considered safe; bilberry leaf in high doses or long-t...

Studies: Guidelines & systematic reviewsThe American Academy of O...

Why it works: Antioxidant & anti-apoptotic effects in lens cells. In cell studies, EGCG reduces oxidative-stress–induced damage and apoptosis in human lens epithelial cells (a key step in catara...

Instructions: If you’re considering EGCG for general health (not as a cataract cure), the best-supported, safest pattern is drinking traditional green-tea infusions in moderation; regulators con...

Warnings: Liver injury with supplements: Regulatory reviews link concentrated green-tea catechin/EGCG suppleme...

Studies: Cell & animal studies suggest plausibilityHuman lens cel...

Why it works: Traditional rationale (TCM/Kampo): Hachimi-jio-gan is a classic 8-herb formula used for age-related decline in kidney yang/yin in East Asian medicine. In Kampo (Japanese herbal med...

Instructions: Dose & timing (ethical-use extract granules, Japan): Usual adult dose is 7.5 g/day of extract granules, taken in 2–3 divided doses before or between meals; adjust to age/weight/sym...

Warnings: Because the formula includes Processed Aconite root and Cinnamon bark, safety matters:. Aconite cont...

Studies: Animal studies (supportive):STZ-diabetic rat study (2016, Ja...

Why it works: Cataract formation is driven by lens protein oxidation, glycation, and (in diabetes) polyol pathway stress. GSE is rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs)—potent antioxidants/a...

Instructions: Form: Choose a product standardized to OPCs; commercial extracts commonly list 80–95% proanthocyanidins. Composition varies widely across brands/studies. molvis.org. Typical supple...

Warnings: Most people tolerate oral GSE, but important cautions apply:. • Bleeding/antiplatelet effects: GSE a...

Studies: Human lens cells: GSE protected HLEB-3 cells from H₂O₂-induc...

Why it works: Antioxidant + light-filtering roles. Lutein (with zeaxanthin) is a carotenoid concentrated in ocular tissues. It absorbs short-wavelength (blue) light and quenches reactive oxygen...

Instructions: Diet first. Emphasize foods naturally rich in lutein/zeaxanthin (dark leafy greens like spinach/kale, corn, peas, pistachios, egg yolks). They’re fat-soluble, so eat them with a fa...

Warnings: Not a treatment for established cataracts. If cataracts impair daily life, surgery is the only defin...

Studies: Randomized controlled trial (highest level of evidence):ARED...