Amelioration of the development of cataracts and other ophthalmic diseases

A method of administering an antioxidant to a mammal comprising contacting the mammal with a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent with a compound having the formula:

• 115
• where R1 and R2 are, independently, H or C1 to C3 alkyl;
• R3 and R4 are, independently C1 to C3 alkyl;
• and
• where R1 and R2, taken together, or R3 and R4, taken together, or both may be cycloalkyl;
• R5 is H, OH, or C1 to C6 alkyl;
• R6 is or C1 to C6 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkyl or alkenyl;
• R7 is C1 to C6 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkyl or alkenyl
• or where R6 and R7, or R5, R6 and R7, taken together, form a carbocycle or heterocycle having from 3 to 7 atoms in the ring.

A method of ameliorating the development of a cataract in the eye of a patient comprising administering to the eye of such patient an ophthalmic composition comprising an ophthalmically acceptable carrier or diluent containing a compound having the formula:

• 116
• where R1 and R2 are, independently, H or C1 to C3 alkyl;
• R3 and R4 are, independently C1 to C3 alkyl;
• and
• where R1 and R2, taken together, or R3 and R4, taken together, or both may be cycloalkyl;
• R5 is H, OH, or C1 to C6 alkyl;
• R6 is C1 to C6 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkyl or alkenyl;
• R7 is C1 to C6 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkyl or alkenyl
• or where R6 and R7, or R5, R6 and R7, taken together, form a carbocycle or heterocycle having from 3 to 7 atoms in the atoms.

A method of treating macular degeneration in the lens of a patient comprising administering to the eye of such patient an ophthalmologic composition comprising an ophthalmically acceptable carrier or diluent in the form of eye drops containing a compound having the formula:

• 117
• where R1 and R2 are, independently, H or C1 to C3 alkyl;
• R3 and R4 are, independently C1 to C3 alkyl;
• and
• where R1 and R2, taken together, or R3 and R4, taken together, or both may be cycloalkyl;
• R5 is H, OH, or C1 to C6 alkyl;
• R6 is or C1 to C6 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkyl or alkenyl;
• R7 is C1 to C6 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkyl or alkenyl
• or where R6 and R7, or R5, R6 and R7, taken together, form a carbocycle or heterocycle having from 3 to 7 atoms in the ring.