No More Blind Spots

A new drop washes away cataracts in aging eyes

By Corey Binns Posted 04.01.2008 at 1:21 pm 8 Comments

Going Blind: iStockphoto

When Rajiv Bhushan’s father complained of blurry, browned vision and pain from bright lights, doctors told him that surgically replacing his eyes’ lenses was the only way to correct the cataracts that had left him legally blind. Instead, after learning that cataracts result from an age-related accumulation of proteins and lipids in a person’s lens, Bhushan, an electrical engineer, set to work concocting a chemical solution to break up the molecules clouding his father’s eyes.

Six years later, the eyedrops, called C-KAD, are entering the final stages of clinical testing. If all goes well, they will hit pharmacy shelves in two years, becoming the first non-surgical treatment. “Nobody, including myself, would have looked at this and thought it would work,” says Randall Olson, chairman of the department of ophthalmology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and scientific adviser for Bhushan’s company, Chakshu Research. “But during trials, I’ve seen cataracts disappear.” Even better, the drops might also relieve the blinding symptoms of glaucoma and macular degeneration.

If Bhushan’s guinea-pig dad is any indication, the drops could slash the three million cataract surgeries performed every year in the U.S. After three months of daily drops, his vision had improved to 20/80—good enough to read his e-mail for the first time in a year.

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8 Comments

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FoSTeX

04/02/08 at 11:44 am

This is truly a medical breakthough!

No sense in debating with an idiot... they just bring you down to their level... then beat you at it.

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Cyclic Hardover

04/11/08 at 9:11 pm

I would like to be part of this clinical testing. I recently had cataract surgery in my right eye. Left eye they say is probably 10 years away but has shown initial stages.

Email me at mlhuckins@msn.com

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nanhagen

04/14/08 at 9:46 am

I have a 2 yr old Shnoodle that has congenital cataract in both eye's. Have you ever thought of testing on Canines? If your ever need a test subject Mikey would love to be your test subject. Contact Mikey and I at nanhagen@yahoo.com

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compassroselmt

04/18/08 at 11:51 am

compass rose

If, indeed, this miracle works and is inexpensive, don't plan on seeing it on your phamacists shelf very soon.

What do you think the reaction to this treatment will be from the doctors who do the three million catarac surgeries? They could lose their Mercedes and practices. I think that there will be a lot of pressure aimed at the AMA and the FDA to slow the approval down to a crawl or deny it all together.

I personally hope that this treatment is approved but, just as it would be in the case of cancer, if a natural and inexpensive cure was found it would be run out of town on a rail. Too much money is at stake.

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goingblind

06/19/08 at 10:17 pm

I am 66 and have both cataracts and macular degeneration in both eyes. I would love to be a test candidate for this medication.

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msmaestro

07/30/08 at 2:15 am

I am totally elated about the possibility of something to allow me to have the beginning cataract in my left eye removed without surgery. I had surgery on my right eye for removal of a cataract and my vision has been deteriorating in that eye. If drops would clear up my left eye and avoid any further surgery in that eye (and even in my right eye), I would be a very happy camper. I would also like to be a tester for this new product.

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Arrow

09/19/08 at 8:25 pm

Arrow

This is a very interesting article which shows promise for individuals with severe eye problems, and there are millions of us. I would like to be involved in this study as my Doctor, that happens to be a leader in national eye care is not able to improve my sight.

A previous comment was a valid indication of some Ophthalmologists not wanting to impair their lucrative cataract replacement business. This of course could hurt widespread distribution of the C-KAD product throughout the United States and other countries.

I look forward to seeing articles of this nature in your extremely fine magazine.

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Lucoss Li

10/10/09 at 1:24 am

Really have to treat cataract eye drops? We should know that cataract surgery can only rely on it may be restored, and not necessarily like that, that surgery may be done, and perhaps still will not restore the eye sight
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