Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. They manifest as lens opacification triggered by various factors, leading to blurred vision. In severe cases, patients may eventually lose their vision entirely. There are many types of cataracts, and their pathogenesis has not been fully clarified. Currently, oxidative stress is widely acknowledged as the primary influencing factor. Pharmacological intervention remains a significant clinical challenge in cataract management. At present, there are no drugs on the market capable of truly reversing cataracts; existing medications can only alleviate the progression of the condition to a certain extent. Surgical treatment remains the only effective approach at this stage. However, economic limitations and the risks of postoperative complications hinder its accessibility for certain patient groups. The treatment of cataracts has consistently been a research hotspot in the field of ophthalmology. Current research mainly centers on two strategic approaches: optimizing surgical techniques alongside improved perioperative pharmaceutical regimens to minimize complications, and conducting basic researches on disease mechanisms to facilitate drug discovery. Effective drug treatment has long been a major gap in current clinical treatment. In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in the exploration of cataract mechanisms and the development of new drugs. Despite the remarkable advancements in uncovering cataract pathogenesis and identifying novel therapeutic targets in recent years, substantial challenges remain in translating these discoveries into clinically applicable medications. This article reviews the progress in mechanism research, the current state of pharmacological interventions, and the clinical research developments of several promising cataract drugs, aiming to provide the latest reference for the research and development of new cataract drugs.
