BALTIMORE—Caffeine may be effective in protecting the lens against damage that could lead to the formation of cataracts, according to a study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Researchers hypothesized that caffeine may inhibit the intraocular generation of reactive oxygen species in the lens and consequent damage to the tissue. The team studied the oxyradical effects in vitro by incubating mice lenses in medium exposed UVA in the presence of kynurenine with and without caffeine. In vivo studies were conducted in rats by incorporating caffeine with galactose in their diet. In both cases, caffeine was found to be effective in protecting the lens against damage.