Hydrogen Therapy Protects Eyes During Cataract Surgery
- Authors
- Tsutomu Igarashi, Ikuroh Ohsawa, Maika Kobayashi, Toru Igarashi, Hisaharu Suzuki, Masumi Iketani, Hiroshi Takahashi
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Year
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1038/srep31190
- Study Type
- Rabbit
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Cataracts
- Body System
- Visual System
TL;DR
Adding hydrogen gas (H2) to the solution used in cataract surgery can protect the eye's corneal cells from damage caused by the procedure.
Key Finding
Hydrogen dissolved in surgical irrigation fluid significantly reduced corneal swelling and oxidative stress markers in rabbit cataract surgery, suggesting it may protect the cornea's inner lining from ultrasound-induced damage.
Summary
During cataract surgery using ultrasound (phacoemulsification), the sound waves create harmful molecules called hydroxyl radicals that damage the cornea's inner lining. Researchers tested whether hydrogen gas dissolved in the surgical fluid could prevent this damage. In lab tests and rabbit surgery studies, hydrogen-treated solution significantly reduced these harmful molecules, decreased corneal swelling, and lowered markers of cellular damage compared to standard surgical fluid.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage animal study suggests hydrogen may have protective effects during cataract surgery, but human clinical trials are needed before any conclusions can be drawn about its real-world benefit. The findings are promising but limited to laboratory and rabbit models, so the relevance to human patients remains uncertain.
Abstract (excerpt)
In phacoemulsification, ultrasound induces hydroxyl radical (·OH) formation, damaging corneal endothelium. Whether H2 can prevent such oxidative damage in phacoemulsification was examined by in vitro and in vivo studies. H2 was dissolved in a commercial irrigating solution. The effects of H2…