8 best cataract drops

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Cataract is the process of gradual opacity and loss of transparency of the lens tissue, which is normally completely transparent and is considered one of the optical media of the eye. The function of the lens is to act as a lens. Either contracting or relaxing, it changes its curvature and helps to focus an accurate image on the retina. If a cataract develops, then, in the end, the person may go blind. Most often, cataracts develop in the elderly, and especially in the presence of diabetes mellitus.

Other reasons for the development of the lens clouding process can be: penetrating eye injury, burns with ultraviolet rays, industrial intoxication with mercury and thallium vapors, organic compounds. Quite rarely, cataracts develop as a reaction of the body to the intake of large doses of antibiotics and sulfonamides. The chronic course of inflammatory eye diseases, and especially uveitis and iridocyclitis, predisposes to clouding of the lens.

In its course, a cataract always goes through several stages. At the very beginning, patients notice a distortion in the size of objects, their contours can be fragmented, and the same object can have several of them. After a few years, there is a sharp decrease in visual acuity, and an increase in the volume of the lens. This leads to the fact that the anterior chamber of the eye becomes quite shallow. In this state, cataracts can exist for a long time, but when the lens is dehydrated, sooner or later the cataract becomes gray in color, and vision is already seriously impaired. Patients see only the direction of light, but they do not distinguish objects. At the stage of mature cataract, the patient sees as if the whole world is covered with frosted glasses. The terminal, or overripe, stage indicates complete disintegration of the lens, and patients may even misperceive the direction of light.

Rating of the best drops for cataract treatment

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
best Drops for cataract treatment	1	Taufon (Taurine)	130 RUB
	2	Oftan Katahrom (adenosine + nicotinamide + cytochrome c)	410 RUB
	3	Quinax (azapentacene)	RUB 400
	4	Emoxipin	260 RUB
the best drops in the early postoperative period	1	Vitabact (picloxidine)	460 RUB
	2	Indocollyr (indomethacin)	420 RUB
	3	Maxitrol (dexamethasone + neomycin + polymyxin B)	RUB 600
	4	Tobradex (dexamethasone + tobramycin)	450 RUB

The best drops for cataract treatment

Currently, the 'gold standard' in cataract treatment is the surgical method with the installation of an intraocular lens. Treatment of cataracts with drops, tablets, folk remedies is not complete, and can only temporarily delay the onset of blindness. However, these methods are successfully applied, and especially in the early stages, since the process of cataract formation itself is not fast and takes many years.

In the case when the diagnosis of cataract is established in a timely manner and accurately, then in the process of preparing for surgical treatment, various medicines, including local ones, in drops can be used as compensation. This rating includes the most effective and popular topical preparations used at different stages of cataract, but they are especially indicated at the very beginning of the pathological process. Prices are given for pharmacies of all forms of ownership at the beginning of 2019.

Taufon (Taurine)

Rating: 4.9

Taufon is a well-known eye drop that contains taurine. This compound is widely known since even energy drinks containing taurine along with caffeine can be purchased. From a chemical point of view, taurine is an amino acid, a product of the conversion of cysteine. According to modern data, the local use of taurine in ophthalmology improves the processes of restoration of eye tissues in degenerative diseases, improves intraocular metabolism, stabilizes cell membranes, and improves metabolic processes. Thus, Taufon are metabolic drops that will help slow down the development of cataracts, but nothing more.

Other indications for the appointment will be various conditions associated with non-infectious dystrophic processes in the cornea of ​​the eye, conditions after corneal injuries. It is necessary to use Taufon for cataracts for a long course. Two drops are instilled into the conjunctiva 3-4 times a day for 3 months. After that, a monthly interval is made, and then the course is repeated. Taufon is produced by the domestic Moscow Endocrine Plant, and the drug is inexpensive. For one large bottle of 10 ml, you need to pay about 130 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of Taufon include good tolerance. It is contraindicated only with hypersensitivity, but allergic reactions are extremely rare. This once again emphasizes that Taufon is a common metabolic 'energetic' for eye tissues, but it does not have any specific mechanisms of action that help dissolve the already formed opacity inside the lens and eliminate, reverse the cataract process. The only thing he can do is postpone the onset of significant visual impairment. Thus, Taufon is a kind of 'food supplement' for the eyes.

Oftan Katahrom (adenosine + nicotinamide + cytochrome c)

Rating: 4.8

Oftan Katahrom is a more serious drug produced by the Finnish company Santen LLC. It contains three components. The first of them, adenosine, is an energy molecule, it is a precursor of adenosine triphosphate, its task is to improve metabolism inside the eye and, mainly, in the lens. Nicotinamide also stimulates the synthesis of especially reunification, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, which regulates metabolic processes and takes part in the activity of enzymes, dehydrogenases.

Finally, cytochrome C is an important mediator in many redox processes, it has antioxidant activity, and this also slows down the process of loss of transparency by the lens. Cataract is the only official indication for the use of this remedy, and it can be prescribed by instilling one to two drops into the eyes three times a day. The only limitation is that the drug is not indicated for patients who wear soft contact lenses. In order to be able to safely use these drops in this group of patients, you first need to remove the lenses, and put them on 15 minutes after instillation. One bottle of these drops with a volume of 10 ml costs about 400 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The pros and cons of this drug are exactly the same as those of other metabolic agents used in ophthalmology. There is no data on overdose, there is no interaction with other local drugs and tablets either, and from side effects there can only be mild intolerance, which consists in short-term tingling and burning. There are practically no systemic effects such as a drop in pressure, nausea, shortness of breath. But nicotinamide, or nicotinic acid amide, which is part of the composition, can dilate blood vessels, and in some cases, the patient may have a feeling of heat a few minutes after instillation, or even pulsation of blood in the temples. In this case, discontinue use and consult a doctor.

Quinax (azapentacene)

Rating: 4.8

Quinax also belongs to metabolic local drugs, and its main indication for use is the treatment of initial forms of cataracts. The active ingredient is azapentacene. This is the abbreviated name for sodium polysulfonate dihydroazapentacene. The task of this substance is to activate special enzymes that break down proteins and belong to the proteolytic class. They are always found in the aqueous humor that fills the anterior ocular chamber. These active enzymes constantly break down various harmful substances that can be deposited on the surface of the lens in an oxidized state and gradually form opaque complexes.

Therefore, we can consider this drug to cleanse the surface of our biological lens, and it works like a wiper on car windows. It is used for various forms of cataracts, ranging from congenital to senile. It is dripped in two drops, from 3 to 5 times a day, the course and duration of admission is determined by the doctor. Quinax is produced by the Alcon company, and the cost is 400 rubles for 5 ml.

Advantages and disadvantages

Quinax is a successful drug in terms of the mechanism of action and the ability to influence the surface of the lens. But he is unable to reduce the haze that occurs not on the surface, but inside the lens itself. In addition, there is convincing evidence that the substance that is part of the drug is unstable, and over time it degrades, and the effectiveness of the drops decreases. Therefore, at this time, only old stocks are left in the warehouses of pharmacies in the Russian Federation. The manufacturing company decided to temporarily suspend the production of these drops, and to enhance the stability of the finished chemical compound. Therefore, if you managed to buy these drops, then know that this may be the last time.

Emoxipin

Rating: 4.8

Emoxipin belongs to the group of antioxidant agents. According to modern data, Emoxipin helps to stabilize membranes, strengthens the vascular wall of capillaries, improves the rheological properties of blood, and reduces viscosity. With the systematic use of the drug, tissue resistance to chronic hypoxia increases. After penetrating the tissues of the eye, it breaks down into five different metabolites, which are products of its transformation and actively affect metabolic processes. In addition to the treatment of cataracts, this remedy is actively used in diabetic retinopathy, for the treatment of hemorrhages and inflammatory processes of the cornea.

The drug is instilled in the usual way three times a day, two drops into each cavity of the conjunctiva, the course of treatment is 1 month. If the patient has good tolerance, then the course of treatment can be extended to 6 months. Emoxipin is produced by the domestic pharmaceutical company Firm Ferment LLC, and the cost of one 5 ml bottle is 260 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Emoxipin is the ability to use it while wearing contact lenses, and this is not a contraindication, the drug protects the cornea. However, as in other cases, Emoxipin alone is not able to prevent the progression of cataracts, and in order to get rid of this disease, surgical intervention is necessary. The drug is well tolerated, allergic reactions rarely develop, sometimes there is a short-term hyperemia of the conjunctiva.

Drops in the early postoperative period

Immediately after the introduction of an intraocular lens into the eye, the ophthalmologist also prescribes eye drops. Only they serve for completely different purposes. Their task is to reduce aseptic inflammation, alas, inevitable during surgery. After all, inflammation is a universal reaction of tissue to injury. And for this, agents containing both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroid hormones, which are stronger, are used. To prevent bacterial inflammation, antibiotic drops are used. Consider the most effective eye drops that are used after cataract surgery and intraocular lens installation.

Vitabact (picloxidine)

Rating: 4.9

Vitabact drops are antiseptics, the active substance in them is at a concentration of 0.05%, it is a clear or slightly yellowish solution. The active ingredient is picloxidine hydrochloride. This agent is highly active against staphylococci, streptococci, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, common Proteus, Chlamydia, some fungi and viruses. The use of Vitabact after ophthalmic operations prevents the addition of a secondary microbial infection and ensures good healing and recovery.

In addition to surgery for cataracts, this agent is prescribed for various bacterial infections, such as keratitis, conjunctivitis. It is necessary to use it for prophylactic purposes, instilling one drop into the eye 3 to 4 times a day. Also, instillation of the drug, one or two drops into each conjunctiva, immediately before the operation is shown. The French company Excel Vision produces Vitabakt, and the cost of one 10 ml bottle is, on average, 460 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantage of Vitabact will be its pronounced bactericidal activity against many strains of gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, fairly good tolerance, as well as activity against many viruses and even fungi. However, it must be remembered that it must be buried strictly in the conjunctival sac, and at the same time it is not capable of exerting an anti-inflammatory or regenerating effect. Therefore, it still needs to be combined with other drops.

Indocollyr (indomethacin)

Rating: 4.8

The only active ingredient in these drops is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a non-selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 types-indomethacin. It is well known in tablets under the name Voltaren, and has a fairly high anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, which is based on the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. This remedy is shown not only as a drug in the postoperative period to reduce pain and swelling, but also to block miosis, that is, constriction of the pupil during surgery. It is very important that the pupil during the operation was as wide as possible, and then this fact will make it possible to easily and reliably install the intraocular lens.

Other indications for use will be the treatment of conjunctivitis of a non-infectious nature, as well as the consequences of trauma to the eyeball. To prevent constriction of the pupil, before surgery, the patient is instilled 1 drop into the conjunctiva every 30 minutes for two hours, that is, only 4 times. In the postoperative period, the agent is instilled one drop 3 times a day for a month after surgery. One 5 ml bottle costs about 420 rubles, and the French pharmaceutical company Chauvin laboratory produces this product.

Advantages and disadvantages

Indocollyr eye drops containing indomethacin are also slightly 'one-sided'. They are good for the prevention of inflammation, postoperative edema, and reduce pain. But at the same time, they are not able to protect the eye from microbial infection. Therefore, together with them, other drops are required, which protect the operated eye from the development of pathogenic flora.

Maxitrol (dexamethasone + neomycin + polymyxin B)

Rating: 4.8

Maxitrol is a combined agent that already contains three components that have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect due to the glucocorticosteroid hormone dexamethasone, and the antibacterial effect and reliable cover against the development of secondary microbial flora are provided by the antibiotics polymyxin B and neomycin.

This useful combination allows Maxitrol to be widely used in ophthalmology, and not only for the treatment of cataracts. The two antibiotics have an activating effect on each other, and affect various pathogenic microorganisms. So, if neomycin well destroys staphylococci and streptococci, then polymyxin is active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella.

Among the indications for the use of Maxitrol, in addition to the postoperative period for any ophthalmic operations, are diseases such as conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis, iridocyclitis, blepharitis, that is, infection of the eye and its auxiliary apparatus. It is necessary to apply Maxitrol, instilling 1 – 2 drops into each conjunctival sac after 6 hours in case of prevention and treatment of a mild infectious process. This drug is produced by the pharmaceutical company Alcon, and the average cost of one small 5 ml bottle is about 600 rubles, that is, these drops can be considered quite expensive.

Advantages and disadvantages

Maxitrol is a type of combination drops that are not commonly found on the market. The combination of one agent with a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect under the cover of 2 reliable antibiotics is very effective. But on the other hand, this remedy is quite expensive, and it cannot be used for tuberculous lesions of the eyes, as well as for herpetic diseases – ophthalmic herpes. Antibiotics have no effect on herpes viruses, and the hormonal drug will suppress immune and inflammatory responses, and as a result, a complicated herpetic lesion may develop, which may even be complicated by herpes encephalitis with a high degree of lethality. Therefore, the ideal option is to use this drug in a short course in the postoperative period of cataract removal solely for the purpose of prevention.

Tobradex (dexamethasone + tobramycin)

Rating: 4.7

Tobradex also belongs to combined drugs. It combines the rather strong antibiotic tobramycin and the same synthetic adrenal cortex hormone, dexamethasone. At the same time, tobramycin has, perhaps, even more power than separately neomycin or polymyxin B, which are part of the previous drug. Tobramycin is also active against penicillin-insensitive strains. These are hemolytic streptococci, Escherichia, Proteus, Haemophilus influenzae, and even some types of Neisseria.

As for dexamethasone, it, as in the previous case, reduces edema and exudation, reduces symptoms of inflammation, eliminates the allergic component and promotes a smoother course in the postoperative period. This effective combination also significantly reduces the risk of developing an infectious process. In addition to the prevention of postoperative complications, Tobradex is indicated for keratitis, blepharitis and conjunctivitis, but again only of bacterial, and not viral, etiology.

It is necessary to bury the drug one or two drops every 6 hours, this is quite enough for prevention. Tobradex is produced by the same company Alcon, the cost of the drug is not much different from the previous one. A 5 ml bottle costs, on average, 450 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like Maxitrol, Tobradex is a combined anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drug, and they are in the same price segment. Just as in the previous case, the drug is indicated for both prevention and treatment, but only in the absence of a viral, tuberculous and fungal process. Tobradex can cause side effects, especially if used too often. This can be an increase in intraocular pressure, as well as a slowdown in the wound healing process. This may be due to the pronounced anti-inflammatory effect of dexamethasone. But if it is applied correctly, in a short course, and for the purpose of prevention, it reliably protects the eye after cataract surgery.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.