In diabetic rats, L-tartaric acid reduced cataract formation by 62.5%—dropping advanced cataracts from 80% to 30% of cases. It worked by lowering oxidative stress and inflammation in the lens, not by controlling blood sugar. This suggests tartaric acid could potentially help protect eyes in people with diabetes, though human studies are needed.

Researchers gave diabetic rats either L-tartaric acid or a placebo daily for 12 weeks, then measured cataract development and tested lens tissue for oxidative damage and inflammatory markers.

Funding not disclosed in abstract