A lot of you have expressed interest in learning more about the possible benefits of Astaxanthin & MSM drops for the treatment of RP. So I asked Dr. Andy Rosenfarb if he could help us out.

Can you tell us what Astaxanthin is and how it might benefit RP patients?

Dr. Rosenfarb: Scientists have studied the most common carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and astaxanthin) and compared their respective abilities to protect the retina. In terms of potency as a free radical scavenger and permeability across the blood-brain-retina barrier, astaxanthin may be superior to other carotenoids in this way.

Dr. Mark Tso of the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University has aptly demonstrated that astaxanthin seems to be the best bet when it comes to protecting your eyes. He discovered that astaxanthin easily crosses into the tissues of the eye and exerts its effects safely and without adverse reactions.

Specifically, Tso determined astaxanthin could ameliorate or prevent light induced damage, photoreceptor cell damage, ganglion cell damage, and damage to the neurons of the inner retinal layers. Other researchers (Shimidzu et al, Bagchi, Martin et al, and Beutner) have since confirmed Dr. Tso’s finding that astaxanthin is the most powerful antioxidant ever discovered for eye health, giving your eyes an additional layer of long-term protection.Tso, Mark O. M., Lam, Tim-Tak, “Method of Retarding and Ameliorating Central Nervous System and Eye Damage,” Patent No. 5,527,533. Washington, D.C., U.S. Patent

Tso, Mark O. M., Lam, Tim-Tak, “Method of Retarding and Ameliorating Central Nervous System and Eye Damage,” Patent No. 5,527,533. Washington, D.C., U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, June 18, 1996.

I recommend that patients start out with 4mg per day and build up to 12mg per day.

Can you tell us about MSM drops and how they might benefit RP Patients?

Dr. Rosenfarb: Over the last two years, I have been recommending that some of my patients consider MSM eye drops.  I originally stared using MSM clinically for cases of RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and chronic systemic inflammation. Results were good and we decided to try it for ocular inflammatory conditions like optic neuritis, iritis and blepharitis.  Again, results were quite good and I began to explore other uses for degenerative eye conditions.

For RP, we think that MSM eye drops may help control inflammation, detoxification of ocular metabolic waste products, break up scar tissue and help with cell regeneration. MSM Eye Drops also soften tissues, equalize pressure, repair damaged membranes, and help tissues absorb nutrients more effectively.

I recommend 1-2 drops in each eye daily.