Role of Taurine in Cataract Treatment and Prevention

Non-surgical approaches to delay or prevent cataract formation have gained increasing interest in recent years. Taurine, a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid, plays a key role in ocular health by modulating oxidative stress, regulating osmotic balance, and preserving lens protein structure. This review synthesizes findings from 20 experimental and clinical studies conducted between 1978 and 2023, which consistently show that taurine levels decline in cataractous lenses and that taurine supplementation can delay or reduce cataract formation in animal models of diabetes, oxidative stress, galactose exposure, and congenital disorders. Mechanisms of action include antioxidant effects, anti-glycation activity, apoptosis inhibition, and osmoregulation. Taurine's excellent safety profile and multi-targeted benefits support its use as part of non-surgical cataract prevention strategies, especially when combined with agents like pirenoxine, resveratrol, or lipoic acid.