Although statins are known for their ability to lower lipids, they are also believed to have antioxidant qualities. It is believed that oxidative stress plays a role in the development of nuclear cataracts, which are the most common type of age-related cataract. To explore the relationship between nuclear cataracts and statin use, a group of researchers took a group of 1299 patients who were at risk of developing nuclear cataracts and gave some of them statins.

Their results suggest that statin use in an at-risk population may be associated with a lower risk of developing nuclear cataract disease. Research is scant and mixed but weakly positive for the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin. Bilberry extract shows promise in rat models and in clinical studies.In the past few years, eye drops containing acetyl-carnosine have been used by several thousands cataract patients across the world.

The drops are believed to work by reducing oxidation and glycation damage in the lens, particularly reducing cristallin cross-linking . The use of these drops remains controversial due to lack of large properly designed trials.