Hydrogen Therapy Shows Promise for Treating Eye Diseases and Vision Problems
- Authors
- Ye Tao, Lei Geng, Wei-Wei Xu, Li-Min Qin, Guang-Hua Peng, Yi-Fei Huang
- Journal
- Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management
- Year
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.2147/TCRM.S102518
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Ocular Diseases
- Body System
- Visual System
TL;DR
Scientists found that hydrogen gas can help treat eye diseases by getting rid of harmful molecules in the eye and reducing swelling, which could lead to a whole new way to protect people's vision.
Key Finding
Hydrogen appears to protect against multiple eye diseases by neutralizing harmful reactive oxygen species and reducing inflammation, according to a systematic review of ophthalmological studies.
Summary
This review examined how hydrogen, a simple molecule, might help treat eye diseases. Researchers looked at studies showing that hydrogen can neutralize harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (unstable atoms that damage cells) and reduce inflammation in the eye. The review suggests hydrogen could be useful against various eye conditions, especially those caused by oxidative stress (cellular damage from these harmful molecules) and lack of blood flow.
Practical Takeaway
This is a review of early-stage research, mostly from animal and laboratory studies rather than human trials. While the findings are promising, much more research in humans would be needed before hydrogen-based treatments could be recommended for eye diseases. The current evidence suggests hydrogen warrants further investigation, but it is not yet established as a proven therapy.
Abstract
Hydrogen, one of the most well-known natural molecules, has been used in numerous medical applications owing to its ability to selectively neutralize cytotoxic reactive oxygen species and ameliorate hazardous inflammations. Hydrogen can exert protective effects on various reactive oxygen species-related diseases, including the transplantation-induced intestinal graft injury, chronic inflammation, ischemia-reperfusion injuries, and so on. Especially in the eye, hydrogen has been used to counteract multiple ocular pathologies in the ophthalmological models. Herein, the ophthalmological utilizations of hydrogen are systematically reviewed and the underlying mechanisms of hydrogen-induced beneficial effects are discussed. It is our hope that the protective effects of hydrogen, as evidenced by these pioneering studies, would enrich our pharmacological knowledge about this natural element and cast light into the discovery of a novel therapeutic strategy against ocular diseases.