How do cataracts form and how can they be prevented?

By Daisy Shu, Professor Frank J. Lovicu, and Shannon Das
Backed by David Lui, Deepayan Kar, Taylor Savvy, Abigail Lee, Samuel Marks, Peter Madden, Kath Watt, Dian Rahardjo, Kathy, HuCheng, and 37 other backers
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The University of Sydney
Australia
BiologyMedicine
DOI: 10.18258/9993
$2,630
Raised of $2,000 Goal
131%
Funded on 11/12/17
Successfully Funded
  • $2,630
    pledged
  • 131%
    funded
  • Funded
    on 11/12/17
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Discussion

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  • MariaSYoung
    MariaSYoung
    Amazing post.
    Sep 30, 2019
  • NancyPSmith
    NancyPSmith
    Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
    Mar 16, 2019
  • Dr Giselle Cooke
    Dr Giselle CookeBacker
    Fantastic effort, everyone! Good luck with your vital research, Daisy!
    Nov 01, 2017
  • Daisy Shu
    Daisy ShuResearcher
    Thanks Giselle! So grateful for all the support! I'm so glad we made it! Can't wait to get started with experiments! I'll keep you posted via the lab notes.
    Nov 02, 2017
  • Milo Grika
    Milo GrikaBacker
    As someone with "early onset" cataracts in both eyes (I'm under 50 years old), and both my father and his father had (normal aging-associated) cataracts, I'm certainly interested in what can be discovered before my children get them.
    Nov 01, 2017
  • Daisy Shu
    Daisy ShuResearcher
    Thank you so much Milo for backing our project! Thanks for sharing your personal story. I'm so glad we're over 100% funded! I'm really excited to get started with experiments and can't wait to share the results as I go along via the lab notes! Stay tuned! Cheers, Daisy
    Nov 02, 2017
  • Maxim Hurwicz
    Maxim HurwiczBacker
    I'm curious what you will find! I wonder if it dovetails with other research such as the eye drops to resolve cataracts that is being used on dogs (http://www.wisechoicemedicine.com/product/can-c-is-for-dogs-too/ or https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/eye-drops-clear-cataracts). I wonder how all this stuff will shake out.
    Nov 01, 2017
  • Daisy Shu
    Daisy ShuResearcher
    Thank you so much Maxim for backing our project. I'm really excited to get started with experiments. Thanks for the links - that was an interesting read! Our project will be looking at a different type of cataract to the one explored in the studies in the link. Nevertheless, this information is handy to know and I'll keep it in mind. I'll keep you updated on the progress of my experiments via the lab notes! Stay tuned and thanks so much for the support!
    Nov 02, 2017
  • Alyssa Susanto
    Alyssa SusantoBacker
    I'm excited for this project!
    Oct 31, 2017
  • Daisy Shu
    Daisy ShuResearcher
    Alyssa! :D Thank you so very much for the donation! Really appreciate the support!
    Oct 31, 2017
  • David Lui
    David LuiBacker
    :D
    Oct 31, 2017
  • Daisy Shu
    Daisy ShuResearcher
    Thank you so very much for the generous donation David! I am super grateful for this contribution! :D
    Oct 31, 2017
  • Roslyn Go
    Roslyn GoBacker
    Super interesting research Daisy! Keep up the good work =D!
    Oct 31, 2017
  • Daisy Shu
    Daisy ShuResearcher
    Thank you so much Ros for the generous donation! Very grateful!
    Oct 31, 2017
  • Jessie Shu
    Jessie ShuBacker
    Good luck Daisy! I hope you reach your goal <3
    Oct 30, 2017
  • Daisy Shu
    Daisy ShuResearcher
    Thank you so much Jessie for the support and donation! Much appreciated!
    Oct 30, 2017
  • Margaret Lam
    Margaret LamBacker
    All the best, Daisy and Team. Love your work! Kind regards Margaret Lam
    Oct 30, 2017
  • Daisy Shu
    Daisy ShuResearcher
    Thank you so much Margaret for your generous donation! Our team is so grateful!
    Oct 30, 2017
  • Dr Giselle Cooke
    Dr Giselle CookeBacker
    I have clinically reversed early cataracts in many of my patients with grapessed extract and vitamin C supplements, occasionally within as little as one month's treatment. Are you exploring such antioxidant protection mechanisms with cataract prevention, Daisy?
    Oct 29, 2017
  • Daisy Shu
    Daisy ShuResearcher
    Hi Giselle! Thank you so much for your donation. Thanks also for sharing this really interesting case of reversing cataract with antioxidants. In our lab, Shannon Das, another PhD student is actually looking into the role of reactive oxidation species in promoting cataract formation and looking at novel ways of blocking ROS using specific inhibitors. I'll definitely let him know about this! Thanks once again! Much appreciated!
    Oct 30, 2017