In a groundbreaking study published in Heliyon, researchers have opened new doors in the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a genetic disorder that leads to progressive vision loss, through the consumption of hydrogen-rich water. The study, conducted between July and September 2019, involved 13 patients with RP, with an average age of 50.54 years, predominantly female, who consumed 400 to 500 ml of hydrogen-rich water twice daily for four consecutive weeks. This novel approach highlights the potential of hydrogen-rich water in mitigating the effects of RP, particularly focusing on the role of oxidative stress in the disease’s progression and how hydrogen’s antioxidant properties might offer a new treatment avenue.
The findings of this study are particularly promising, showing an improvement in the patients’ best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) without significant alterations in intraocular pressure, retinal thickness, or choroidal thickness. This suggests that drinking hydrogen-rich water may not only improve visual function but also do so without adverse effects on the retina and choroid morphology. Despite these encouraging results, the research faced various limitations, such as a small sample size, a short duration of follow-up, and the lack of a control group. Moreover, the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic posed additional challenges to the continuity of the study. As such, while the study establishes a promising foundation, it underscores the need for more extensive research to fully comprehend the implications and potential of hydrogen-rich water as a treatment for RP.
