Pure L-carnosine eye drops demonstrated effectiveness in treating a variety of ophthalmic conditions, including corneal diseases, cataracts, glaucoma, and increased intraocular pressure. Clinical trials in 1997 conducted on 109 patients confirmed accelerated healing of corneal erosions, trophic keratitis, post-herpetic epitheliopathy, primary and secondary corneal dystrophy, and bullous keratopathy. However, the most striking was its ability to treat and prevent cataracts, attributed to its antioxidant properties.
However, a warning!
In all the clinical trials, only N-acetyl-L-carnosine was used. There were no added antioxidants or any other additive used along with the drops. There are many products on the market today that do add such antioxidants as vitamins A and E. There is a danger in this practice. Metabolism of N-acetyl-L-carnosine depends on certain enzymes (N-acetylsterase and N-acetyltransferase). Adding other antioxidants to L-carnosine causes a significant change in these enzymes. This will alter conversion of L-carnosine and raise the level of free carnosine, which will be delivered to any number of tissues within the eye. These other added antioxidants could potentially damage the vision over longterm use.
(See page 8 of this pdf article in the Winter 2004 issue of Advanced Orthomolecular Research Magazine entitled “The AGE-less Eye”.)
More information can be read in the online magazines provided by Advanced Orthomolecular Research (AOR). We can personally attest to their excellent products and service.
