' Patients with PD additionally have higher prevalence of cataract compared with the general older population, which if left untreated can result in poor vision and vision loss. '
This new study ( May 2023) suggests that melatonin may be a useful supplement in helping to delay cataract progression based on an AI review of the literature that created a list of the top 10 drugs that showed potential in inhibiting cataract formation and progression :
' The suppressive effects of aspirin, acetylcysteine, and ibuprofen waned over time, while those of melatonin became stronger in both genders. Thus, the four repositioned drugs have the potential to delay cataract progression in both genders. All four drugs share the ability to directly or indirectly inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme that is increased by multiple cataractogenic stimuli. '
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I’ll have to mention that to my daughter, she developed cataracts at age 5. She had surgery at 15 and she’s 34 now. She has been noticing more glare at night lately. Always nice to find things that can be helpful, thanks
She is doing great! She’s very happy with the progress. She did the diet for several months you suggested and saw major improvements. She’s not following it now but it hasn’t returned so far, thanks for the info and if it does worsen I’m sure she will follow it again
It wasn't actually a diet, but rather a slight change to the way you look at eating. I had suggested rather than just saying you are going to go on a strict diet which can be overwhelming for many people once they realize they won't be able to eat many or most of the things they like to eat, rather to look at each food item as they are considering consuming it and deciding right then whether they want to eat it or not, knowing the consequences in terms of weight gain. In this way you can still eat what you want, but make an immediate decision right at the time of consumption instead of saying that I can never eat something like ice cream again. It doesn't work for everyone, but it does for some people.
Hubby with PD age 83 1/2 doesn't have cataracts. Me at 71 have the start of cataracts. HWPD was diagnosed with macular degeneration. Will have to research to see if any positive benefits with Melatonin for macular degeneration.
' These results indicate that melatonin attenuated NaIO3-induced mitophagy of ARPE-19 cells via reduction in ROS-mediated HIF-1α targeted BNIP3/LC3B signaling in vitro and in vivo. Melatonin may be a potential therapeutic drug in the treatment of AMD. '
' Our findings suggest that MT can effectively ameliorate retinal degeneration and regulate immune homeostasis via Tregs. Modulation of the immune response may provide a key therapeutic strategy. '
Melatonin has a very good safety profile. I take 132 mg+ per night as a preventative against a multitude of health issues such as AMD.
Hubby and I both took Melatonin 10 mg. Results 10mg too high. Hubby took Melatonin an hour before going to bed and had difficultly walking. Same with taking 30 minutes before bed. Local store only has 10mg or 5mg. Searched online and there is a 2mg which we will both try because there are so many benefits.
To update this research after two years, melatonin continues to shine as a potential adjunctive treatment in multiple health issues associated with increased risk in people with PD, such as age related macular degeneration (AMD).
More recent animal research (February, 2025) adding confirmation to the idea that melatonin is useful for AMD, which people with PD are at increased risk for :
' Aβ1-40 can trigger ferroptosis in RPE cells. Melatonin can inhibit the oxidative stress and ferroptosis induced by Aβ1-40 in RPE cells. Melatonin exhibits a protective effect on Aβ1-40-induced AMD, significantly improving the structure of the mouse retina and RPE layer, and facilitating the restoration of visual function. Network pharmacology methods revealed that the potential targets of melatonin in AMD are closely related to ferroptosis, and indicated that the predominant pathways are significantly associated with the PI3K/AKT/MDM2/P53 signaling pathway. Knocking down the specific expression of MDM2 can significantly weaken the inhibitory effect of melatonin on oxidative stress and ferroptosis. '
Newer data (April 2024) suggesting increased risk of AMD in people with PD, especially those with early onset PD :
' We confirmed the incidence rate and risk factors for AMD in Koreans with PD, considering variations by age group and sex. The incidence rate of AMD is naturally expected to increase with age in patients with PD. Factors such as race and ethnicity, as reported in meta-analyses (Clemons et al., 2005; Klein et al., 2007; Etminan et al., 2018), showed varying prevalence and incidence rates, with higher rates among Caucasians than among Asians. A meta-analysis estimated the annual incidence of late AMD in white American individuals aged over 50 years to be 3.5/1,000 PY (95% CI; 2.5–4.7/1,000 PY) (Rudnicka et al., 2015). Previous studies using the KNHIS database showed that the 3-year incidence of AMD from 2010 to 2012 was 0.30 (95% CI; 0.30–0.31)/1,000 PY (Park et al., 2015) and the 6-year incidence from 2010 to 2015 was 0.29 (95% CI; 0.28–0.30)/1,000 PY (Rim et al., 2019) in the general Korean population. However, the overall incidence rate (13.59/1,000 PY) which were a significantly higher incidence rate of AMD in patients with PD (i.e., as the SIR were observed to be 19.79 [19.48–20.10]), compared to the general Korean population aged ≥ 40 years. '
Given the established safety profile of melatonin, it makes me wonder why melatonin eye drops do not seem to be readily available in the US?
The following research (March, 2024) suggests that melatonin eye drops might be quite useful for multiple eye health issues :
' In the eye, melatonin may provide antioxidant protection along with regulating physiological functions of ocular tissues, including intraocular pressure (IOP). Therefore, it is conceivable that the exogenous topical administration of sufficiently high amounts of melatonin to the eye could be beneficial in several instances: for the treatment of eye pathologies like glaucoma, due to the IOP-lowering and neuroprotection effects of melatonin; for the prevention of other dysfunctions, such as dry eye and refractive defects (cataract and myopia) mainly due to its antioxidant properties; for diabetic retinopathy due to its metabolic influence and neuroprotective effects; for macular degeneration due to the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties; and for uveitis, mostly owing to anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. This paper reviews the scientific evidence supporting the use of melatonin in different ocular districts. Moreover, it provides data suggesting that the topical administration of melatonin as eye drops is a real possibility, utilizing nanotechnological formulations that could improve its solubility and permeation through the eye. This way, its distribution and concentration in different ocular tissues may support its pleiotropic therapeutic effects. '
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