Hydrogen Therapy Shows Promise for Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment
- Authors
- Cestmir Cejka, Sarka Kubinova, Jitka Cejkova
- Journal
- Free Radical Research
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1080/10715762.2019.1582770
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Czech Republic
- Health Condition
- Ocular Diseases
- Body System
- Visual System
TL;DR
Researchers found that a special type of hydrogen called molecular hydrogen (H2) can help prevent and treat eye diseases by getting rid of harmful molecules that damage eye cells—and the cool part is that it's completely safe to use, even in large amounts.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen can cross the blood-ocular barrier and selectively neutralize harmful reactive oxygen species in the eye while reducing inflammation, showing potential to prevent, improve, or slow progression of oxidative stress-related eye diseases.
Summary
This review examined how molecular hydrogen (H2, a simple gas) might help treat eye diseases caused by oxidative stress (damage from harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species). Molecular hydrogen is unique because it can cross into the eye and brain, and it neutralizes these harmful molecules while also reducing inflammation. Studies in animals and some human trials suggest that H2 treatment may prevent eye diseases, improve existing ones, and slow the worsening of serious eye conditions, without causing toxicity even at high doses.
Practical Takeaway
While this review summarizes promising laboratory and early clinical evidence for hydrogen in eye disease treatment, most studies appear to be in animals or very small human trials. The review does not specify which eye conditions were studied, delivery methods used, or provide details on human trial results, so it's too early to draw firm conclusions about practical benefits for consumers. More rigorous human studies would be needed to establish whether hydrogen water or other H2 delivery methods are effective for eye health.
Abstract (excerpt)
Oxidative stress initiates, accompanies and contributes to the development of several human diseases and injuries, including ocular diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can generate oxidative stress via excessive ROS production and/or decreased physiologically occurring antioxidants. To replace…