Editing Cataract (section)

==Research==
[[acetylcarnosine|N-Acetylcarnosine]] drops have been investigated as a medical treatment for cataracts. The drops are believed to work by reducing [[oxidation]] and [[glycation]] damage in the lens, particularly reducing [[crystallin]] crosslinking.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Williams DL, Munday P | title = The effect of a topical antioxidant formulation including N-acetyl carnosine on canine cataract: a preliminary study | journal = Veterinary Ophthalmology | volume = 9 | issue = 5 | pages = 311–316 | year = 2006 | pmid = 16939459 | doi = 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2006.00492.x }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Guo Y, Yan H | title = [Preventive effect of carnosine on cataract development] | journal = Yan Ke Xue Bao = Eye Science | volume = 22 | issue = 2 | pages = 85–88 | date = June 2006 | pmid = 17162883 }}</ref> Some benefit has been shown in small manufacturer-sponsored randomized controlled trials but further independent corroboration is still required.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Toh T, Morton J, Coxon J, Elder MJ | title = Medical treatment of cataract | journal = Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology | volume = 35 | issue = 7 | pages = 664–671 | year = 2007 | pmid = 17894689 | doi = 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2007.01559.x | s2cid = 43125880 }}</ref>

[[Mode-locking|Femtosecond laser mode-locking]], used during cataract surgery, was originally used to cut accurate and predictable flaps in [[LASIK]] surgery, and has been introduced to cataract surgery. The incision at the junction of the sclera and cornea and the hole in capsule during capsulorhexis, traditionally made with a handheld blade, needle, and forceps, are dependent on skill and experience of the surgeon. Sophisticated three-dimensional images of the eyes can be used to guide lasers to make these incisions. A [[Nd:YAG laser]] can also then break up the cataract as in phacoemulsification.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Friedman NJ, Palanker DV, Schuele G, Andersen D, Marcellino G, Seibel BS, Batlle J, Feliz R, Talamo JH, Blumenkranz MS, Culbertson WW | title = Femtosecond laser capsulotomy | journal = Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery | volume = 37 | issue = 7 | pages = 1189–1198 | date = July 2011 | pmid = 21700099 | doi = 10.1016/j.jcrs.2011.04.022 | s2cid = 3860204 }} [http://www.stanford.edu/~palanker/publications/fs%20capsulotomy%20JCRS%202011.pdf as PDF] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914073521/http://www.stanford.edu/~palanker/publications/fs%20capsulotomy%20JCRS%202011.pdf |date=2012-09-14 }} The authors declare a financial interest in a company producing femtosecond laser equipment.</ref>

[[Stem cells]] have been used in a clinical trial, with results submitted in 2014 and published in March 2016, for [[lens regeneration]] in twelve children under the age of two with cataracts present at birth.<ref name=NHS2016>{{cite web|title=Stem cells used to repair children's eyes after cataracts|url=http://www.nhs.uk/news/2016/03March/Pages/Childrens-eyes-damaged-by-cataracts-repaired-by-stem-cells.aspx |publisher=NHS |access-date=11 March 2016|date=March 10, 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311073154/http://www.nhs.uk/news/2016/03March/Pages/Childrens-eyes-damaged-by-cataracts-repaired-by-stem-cells.aspx |archive-date=11 March 2016}}</ref> The children were followed for six months, so it is unknown what the long-term results have been, and it is unknown if this procedure would work in adults.<ref name=NHS2016/>