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Professor
Steven Gallant, a biochemist at London's Bart's Hospital,
was the first British scientist to discover the properties
of L-carnosine. He says: 'My father had cataracts and
did not relish going under the knife, so I started research
into what the alternatives were. I found there had been
substantial research in China and Russia and there are
plenty of doctors using drops as an alternative. At the
time it was impossible to get the drops and so dad had
the surgery. But now we have better relations with Russia
and China'.
Recently
supplies of the drops have become available in the UK. The success
rates in clearing cataracts are almost 100 per cent over a three
to six-month period. By doubling the daily dose - without harm
- some patients have eradicated their cataracts in less than seven
weeks. "Results aren't instant but they are quick compared
to the length of time patients are waiting for cataract surgery
on the NHS", says Professor Gallant. And the health service
removes only one cataract at a time, making patients wait at least
six months for each eye. Having the operation privately costs
£3,500.
L-carnosine
is an amino acid that appears to have the ability of reversing
the ageing process of cells that lead to cataracts. 'L-carnosine
is a powerful anti oxidant working against chemicals called
oxygen-free radicals that are responsible for the ageing process',
says Professor Gallant. After only a few months on the market,
the drops are proving a success with patients.
Mary
Greenwood's mother, Chan Ah Hei, was nearly blind with two very
large 'mature' cataracts needing surgery. The 79-year-old from
Stanmore, Middlesex, started to see an improvement in her condition
after three weeks. She has had cataracts for several years and
was having difficulty getting around. Now she can move about
and is able to read a newspaper for the first time in years.
All that remains of her cataracts are two tiny white spots in
the corner of each eye, which do not affect her vision.
Cataracts
occur because the surface of the eye ages, without new cell
development. Doctors believe the combination of ultraviolet
light, poor nutrition and stress can lead to cataracts. Brian
Greaves, a cataract surgeon in Kent who saved his own eyesight
using alternative medicine eye-drops, says: 'L-carnosine is
a strong anti oxidant, so it probably works to a degree. But
it might need to be combined with something else for greater
effect. Alternative methods shouldn't be ruled out. I didn't
believe a change in diet and drops containing something called
lutein could save my sight. But it did'.
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