Cianjur Regency

Researchers are studying the protective effects of oral vitamin C on the corneal endothelial layer in patients undergoing phacoemulsification for hard cataracts. The study aims to find out if vitamin C taken before and after surgery helps protect the cornea better than taking it only before surgery or not at all. They will also examine how oxidative stress markers (MDA levels) in the eye fluid and blood change with vitamin C compared to a placebo. Participants will be assigned to take either 500 mg of oral vitamin C or a placebo three times a day, starting seven days before the cataract surgery and continuing for 28 days after. The main procedure, phacoemulsification, will be performed during the study. Participants will be monitored through several follow-up visits at 1, 7, 28, and 42 days after surgery. Throughout the study, participants will keep a log to record their medication intake and any side effects. Researchers will assess corneal endothelial cell loss from the start to six weeks after the intervention, along with measuring oxidative stress markers in eye fluid and blood. The total participation period covers about seven weeks, including treatment and follow-up evaluations.