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Best Peptides for Eye Health

Your eyes are among the most metabolically active organs in your body. The retina alone consumes more oxygen per gram than the brain. That metabolic intensity makes ocular tissues especially vulnerable to oxidative damage, inflammation, and age-related decline.

Your eyes are among the most metabolically active organs in your body. The retina alone consumes more oxygen per gram than the brain. That metabolic intensity makes ocular tissues especially vulnerable to oxidative damage, inflammation, and age-related decline. Conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye disease, and diabetic retinopathy affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide — and current treatments, while helpful, leave significant gaps.

This is where peptide research is opening new ground. Several peptides are being studied for their ability to protect retinal cells, accelerate corneal healing, reduce intraocular pressure, and preserve photoreceptors. Some have already reached human clinical trials. Others are backed by decades of preclinical work showing effects that existing drugs cannot replicate.

This guide covers the peptides with the strongest research behind them for eye health, what the science actually shows, and what remains unproven.

Table of Contents

Why Peptides for Eye Health?

The eye presents unique challenges for drug development. The cornea and blood-retinal barrier block most molecules from reaching interior structures. That is why treatments for conditions like wet macular degeneration currently require injections directly into the eye — a procedure that is uncomfortable, carries infection risk, and causes many patients to abandon therapy over time.

Peptides offer several advantages over larger protein drugs and small molecules. They can be engineered to cross ocular barriers. They are more stable than full-length proteins. And they can be delivered as eye drops rather than injections, which would be a transformative shift for patients with chronic eye diseases [1].

The eye also has another relevant property: many ocular diseases — macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy — share common underlying mechanisms. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and impaired blood flow all play roles. Peptides that target these pathways may offer benefits across multiple conditions rather than treating just one.

Interest in ophthalmic peptide therapeutics has accelerated in recent years. Sales of biological medicines for eye conditions were projected to reach $35.7 billion globally by 2025, and peptides are becoming a larger part of that conversation [2]. Several peptide-based eye drops are now in clinical development for conditions ranging from dry eye to retinitis pigmentosa.

BPC-157: Corneal Healing and Glaucoma Research

What it is: BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a 15-amino-acid peptide originally isolated from human gastric juice. It is best known for gut and musculoskeletal healing research, but its ocular studies are extensive and growing.

Why it matters for eye health: BPC-157 has been studied for corneal wound healing, glaucoma, retinal ischemia, dry eye, and corneal transparency maintenance. The research spans nearly two decades of animal studies and covers both topical (eye drop) and systemic administration.

Corneal Healing

The cornea must stay transparent to function properly. When it is injured, the normal healing response can produce scarring and new blood vessel growth (neovascularization) that permanently cloud vision. BPC-157 appears to solve both problems simultaneously.

In a 2005 rat study, BPC-157 eye drops accelerated corneal epithelial healing after debridement injuries. Control lesions were still present at 48 hours. BPC-157-treated corneas at microgram doses healed by 40 hours, and nanogram doses healed by 48 hours — a statistically significant improvement at both concentrations [3].

A 2015 study tackled a more severe model: full-thickness perforating corneal incisions. BPC-157 eye drops closed these injuries significantly faster than controls. Epithelial defects healed completely by 72 hours (microgram dose) and 96 hours (nanogram dose). Critically, BPC-157-treated rats had no new blood vessel growth from the limbus, while controls developed prominent neovascularization [4].

This anti-angiogenic effect in the cornea is particularly noteworthy. The cornea maintains an "angiogenic privilege" — a deliberate absence of blood vessels that is essential for transparency. BPC-157 appears to preserve this privilege by balancing pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic mediators [4].

Glaucoma

A 2023 review in Pharmaceuticals examined BPC-157's potential as a glaucoma therapy. In rats with experimentally induced glaucoma (three of four episcleral veins cauterized), BPC-157 immediately normalized intraocular pressure across all tested dosing regimens. It also maintained retinal integrity, recovered pupil function, and resolved retinal ischemia [5].

The researchers attributed these effects to BPC-157's "cytoprotective" properties — its ability to protect cells under stress — combined with what they described as a "particular vascular effect" that rescues compromised blood vessels.

Dry Eye and Additional Effects

BPC-157 research extends to dry eye (lacrimal gland removal model), corneal insensitivity, and even as a potential antidote to topical ophthalmic anesthetics. Across these models, the peptide consistently promoted corneal healing and maintained transparency [5].

Evidence strength: Strong and consistent animal data across multiple eye conditions. No human clinical trials for ocular use. The breadth of conditions studied is unusual for a single peptide.

Thymosin Beta-4 (TB-500): Corneal Wound Repair and Dry Eye

What it is: TB-500 is a synthetic version of the active region of thymosin beta-4 (Tb4), a 43-amino-acid peptide found in high concentrations in platelets, white blood cells, and wound fluid. Tb4 regulates actin polymerization — the process that controls cell shape and movement during tissue repair.

Why it matters for eye health: Thymosin beta-4 is one of the most clinically advanced peptides for eye conditions. It has been through a Phase II clinical trial for dry eye disease and has extensive preclinical data for corneal wound healing.

Corneal Wound Healing

Current pharmacological therapies that accelerate corneal epithelial healing are severely limited. Clinicians mostly create an environment conducive to healing and rely on the eye's own repair capacity [6]. Thymosin beta-4 offers something more active.

In alkali-burn models — one of the most severe forms of corneal injury — topical Tb4 produced dramatic results. Only 20% of Tb4-treated eyes showed readily apparent damage after alkali injury, compared to 70% of controls. The overall anatomical integrity of the anterior segment in treated eyes was "markedly more normal in appearance" [7].

The mechanism involves multiple pathways. Tb4 promotes cell migration by regulating actin dynamics. It also strengthens cell attachment to the basement membrane through hemidesmosomal adhesions — the molecular anchors that hold corneal epithelial cells in place. Without these anchors, healing cells slide off before they can establish a stable layer [6].

Tb4 also reduces inflammation after injury. Corneal alkali burns trigger massive infiltration of inflammatory cells and overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Tb4 suppresses this inflammatory response, preventing secondary damage [7].

Dry Eye Clinical Trial

A Phase II randomized, placebo-controlled study tested 0.1% thymosin beta-4 ophthalmic solution (RGN-259) in 72 subjects with moderate to severe dry eye. The treatment was administered for 28 days using a controlled adverse environment model.

Results showed a 27% reduction in discomfort scores and improvements in corneal staining — a measure of surface eye damage. No adverse events were reported, and no subjects withdrew due to side effects [8].

This trial is significant because dry eye affects an estimated 344 million people globally. Current treatments (artificial tears, cyclosporine drops, lifitegrast) help many patients but leave a substantial portion with inadequate symptom relief.

Why Thymosin Beta-4 Is Different

Unlike artificial tears that only lubricate, or anti-inflammatory drops that only reduce inflammation, Tb4 directly promotes tissue repair. It addresses the root cause — damaged corneal epithelium — rather than just managing symptoms.

Evidence strength: Strong preclinical data for corneal healing. Phase II human clinical trial for dry eye with positive safety and preliminary efficacy results. Longer-term efficacy and Phase III data still needed.

SS-31 (Elamipretide): Mitochondrial Protection for the Retina

What it is: SS-31 (elamipretide) is a mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide that binds cardiolipin, a lipid in the inner mitochondrial membrane. By stabilizing mitochondrial cristae structure, it reduces oxidative stress and improves ATP production in cells with high energy demands — like those in the retina.

Why it matters for eye health: SS-31 is the only peptide on this list that has completed a Phase II clinical trial specifically for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). That makes it the most clinically advanced peptide for retinal disease.

The Mitochondrial Connection

The retina is one of the most energy-hungry tissues in the body. Photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells depend heavily on mitochondrial function. As you age, mitochondrial efficiency declines, and the oxidative damage accumulates. This is increasingly recognized as a central driver of AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma [9].

SS-31 targets this problem at its source. Its two positively charged amino acids are attracted to the negatively charged cardiolipin in mitochondrial membranes, causing the peptide to accumulate inside mitochondria at concentrations far higher than in the surrounding cell.

Preclinical Results

In animal models, elamipretide prevented and corrected vision loss in diabetic mice. It improved survival of human retinal endothelial cells, trabecular meshwork cells, and RPE cells by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis [9].

An aging mouse study showed that elamipretide treatment "rather selectively improves age-related loss of photopic visual function," suggesting it may help with the specific type of vision decline associated with aging [10].

Clinical Trials: ReCLAIM Program

Phase I (ReCLAIM High-Risk Drusen): Eighteen patients with intermediate AMD and high-risk drusen received daily subcutaneous elamipretide for 24 weeks. The average improvement in best-corrected visual acuity was +3.6 letters, and low-luminance visual acuity improved by +5.6 letters — both statistically significant. The drug was generally safe and well tolerated [11].

Phase II (ReCLAIM-2): A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with geographic atrophy (advanced dry AMD). The trial did not meet its primary endpoints for visual acuity and geographic atrophy progression. However, elamipretide treatment was associated with a 43% reduction in progression of total ellipsoid zone (EZ) attenuation and a 47% reduction in partial EZ attenuation. Because ellipsoid zone loss precedes the pathological changes that drive AMD progression, these effects may be clinically meaningful [12].

The researchers concluded that elamipretide showed "biologic activity" and should be further evaluated in earlier disease stages where photoreceptors, RPE, and associated mitochondria are still viable.

Evidence strength: Strong preclinical data. Phase I and Phase II human clinical trial data. Phase II missed primary endpoints but showed structural benefits. Further trials warranted, especially in earlier-stage disease.

Humanin: Retinal Pigment Epithelium Defense

What it is: Humanin is a 24-amino-acid peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA — the first "mitochondrial-derived peptide" ever discovered. It plays roles in apoptosis, inflammation, substrate metabolism, and cellular stress response.

Why it matters for eye health: Humanin protects RPE cells — the critical support layer behind the retina — from oxidative stress-induced death. RPE dysfunction is a key early event in AMD.

Protection of Retinal Pigment Epithelium

RPE cells are essential for photoreceptor health. They recycle visual pigments, transport nutrients, and absorb stray light. When RPE cells die from oxidative damage, photoreceptors lose their support system and eventually degenerate too. This cascade drives the progression of AMD.

Humanin protects RPE cells through a dual mechanism. First, it enters mitochondria and directly improves their function — reducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), increasing mitochondrial glutathione (GSH), and restoring bioenergetic capacity. Second, it activates extracellular receptors that trigger protective signaling through the STAT3 pathway [13].

In cell culture experiments, humanin treatment inhibited oxidative stress-induced ROS formation and significantly restored mitochondrial bioenergetics in human RPE cells. It protected against both oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress — two major contributors to RPE dysfunction in AMD [14].

Advanced Delivery Systems

Because humanin is hydrophobic and has a short half-life, researchers have developed nanoparticle delivery approaches. Humanin fused with elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs) self-assembles into nanoparticles that bind RPE cells and protect against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. This protection is mediated through STAT3 signaling — when STAT3 is inhibited, the protective effect disappears [15].

These findings have opened a research path toward long-acting humanin nanoparticles that could potentially be administered as eye drops or sustained-release formulations.

Evidence strength: Solid cell culture data showing RPE protection. Mechanistic pathways well characterized. No animal or human clinical trials specifically for eye disease yet. Nanoparticle delivery platforms under development.

PEDF-Derived Peptides: Eye Drops That Reach the Retina

What they are: PEDF (pigment epithelium-derived factor) is a natural protein found in the eye that helps preserve retinal cells. The full protein is too large to pass through ocular tissues as an eye drop. NIH researchers solved this by creating small peptide fragments — the "17-mer" (17 amino acids) and "H105A" (a modified version with stronger receptor binding) — that retain PEDF's protective properties but can penetrate to the retina [16].

Why they matter: This is one of the most exciting recent developments in ocular peptide research. Published in Communications Medicine in March 2025, the study showed that peptide eye drops can reach the retina, preserve photoreceptors, and slow vision loss in animal models of retinitis pigmentosa.

How They Work

PEDF restricts common cell death pathways in the retina. The small peptide fragments bind to the PEDF receptor (PEDF-R) on retinal cells and activate survival signaling without triggering PEDF's other functions, which could be counterproductive.

When applied as drops on the eye surface in mice, both peptides reached the retina within 60 minutes, with concentrations slowly decreasing over 24 to 48 hours. Neither peptide caused toxicity or other side effects [16].

Results in Retinitis Pigmentosa Models

Daily H105A eye drops given to young mice with retinitis pigmentosa-like disease slowed photoreceptor degeneration and vision loss significantly. After one week:

  • Treated mice retained up to 75% of photoreceptors
  • Treated mice maintained strong retinal responses to light
  • Control mice had few remaining photoreceptors and little functional vision [16]

The study also tested the eye drops in human retinal tissue models (retinal organoids), confirming relevance beyond animal models.

Compatibility with Gene Therapy

Perhaps the most practical finding: these eye drops could serve as a bridge therapy. Researchers administered the eye drops for one week, then followed with gene therapy. The gene therapy successfully preserved vision for at least six additional months — but only because the eye drops had kept enough photoreceptors alive for the gene therapy to work [16].

Patricia Becerra, Ph.D., the study's senior author and chief of NIH's Section on Protein Structure and Function, stated: "Given these results, we're excited to begin trials of these eye drops in people."

Evidence strength: Strong preclinical data in multiple mouse models and human tissue models. No human clinical trials yet, but human trials are planned. Published by NIH researchers in a peer-reviewed journal. The concept of peptide eye drops reaching the retina is a genuine breakthrough.

Epitalon: The Pineal-Retinal Connection

What it is: Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a synthetic tetrapeptide based on epithalamin, a bovine pineal gland extract. It is primarily studied for its geroprotective (anti-aging) and neuroendocrine effects, including telomerase activation and melatonin regulation.

Why it matters for eye health: The pineal gland and the retina share a common embryonic origin. A tetrapeptide that affects one may affect the other — and research suggests Epitalon does affect both.

Retinal Degeneration Research

In Campbell rats — a strain with genetic pigmentary degeneration of the retina starting from day 20 of life — Epitalon treatment partially restored functional activity of the retina. The mechanism involved preventing apoptosis of retinal pigment epithelium cells and stimulating regeneration processes [17].

Cell culture experiments showed that Epitalon specifically stimulated proliferation of retinal and pigmented epithelial cells. When compared head-to-head with Retinalamin (a polypeptide preparation from retinal tissue), Epitalon showed the strongest effects after 28 days at a concentration of 10 ng/mL [17].

Human Clinical Observations

According to published reports from the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Epitalon therapy in patients with degenerative retinal lesions resulted in positive clinical effects in up to 90% of cases, including increased visual acuity and expansion of the visual field [18].

In a study of 104 patients with diabetic retinopathy, a combination of Retinalamin, Epithalamin, and cortexin improved visual acuity and helped stop leakage of blood and fluids, reducing macular edema. The treatment improved functional activity of the retina and retinal blood flow in every patient with no reported adverse effects [18].

Diabetic Retinopathy

More recent research has shown that Epitalon restored impaired wound healing in retinal pigment epithelial cells injured by high glucose conditions. It did this by inhibiting hyperglycemia-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrosis, suggesting potential as a therapeutic strategy for diabetic retinopathy [18].

Evidence strength: Animal data and cell culture studies from a focused group of researchers. Some human clinical data, though from a limited number of investigators and primarily published in Russian-language journals. Independent replication would strengthen the evidence base.

GHK-Cu: Periocular Tissue Support

What it is: GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper) is a naturally occurring tripeptide-copper complex found in human plasma. It is well established for wound healing, skin regeneration, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Why it matters for eye health: GHK-Cu's eye-related research is primarily about the tissue around the eyes rather than internal ocular structures. But its antioxidant and gene-modulating properties have theoretical relevance to ocular health more broadly.

Periocular Skin

In a controlled study of 41 women with mild to advanced photodamage, a GHK-Cu eye cream applied for 12 weeks to the around-the-eye area outperformed both placebo and vitamin K cream. It reduced lines and wrinkles, improved overall appearance, and increased skin density and thickness [19].

For the delicate periocular skin — which is thinner and more prone to visible aging than skin elsewhere on the face — copper peptides offer a unique combination of collagen stimulation, anti-inflammatory action, and antioxidant protection.

Theoretical Relevance to Ocular Tissues

No published studies have tested GHK-Cu directly on internal eye structures (cornea, retina, lens). However, its documented biological properties are mechanistically relevant to ocular health:

  • Antioxidant defense: GHK-Cu upregulates antioxidant enzymes and quenches hydroxyl radicals more effectively than glutathione. Oxidative stress is a central driver of cataracts, AMD, and glaucoma.
  • Gene modulation: GHK affects expression of genes involved in tissue remodeling, inflammation, and stress response — all pathways relevant to ocular disease [19].
  • Collagen and connective tissue support: GHK stimulates synthesis of collagen and glycosaminoglycans, components present in the cornea and other ocular structures.

This remains a theoretical connection. Direct ocular research with GHK-Cu would be needed to confirm any internal eye benefits.

Evidence strength: Strong evidence for periocular skin. No direct evidence for internal ocular tissues. Mechanistic plausibility based on known biological activities.

Comparison Table: Eye Health Peptides at a Glance

PeptidePrimary Eye ApplicationsEvidence LevelHuman Trials?Delivery Method Studied
BPC-157Corneal healing, glaucoma, dry eye, retinal ischemiaStrong preclinicalNo (for eyes)Eye drops, systemic
Thymosin Beta-4 (TB-500)Corneal wound repair, dry eyeStrong preclinical + Phase IIYes (dry eye)Eye drops
SS-31 (Elamipretide)Age-related macular degeneration, retinal protectionStrong preclinical + Phase I/IIYes (AMD)Subcutaneous injection
HumaninRPE protection, AMD preventionCell cultureNoNanoparticle (experimental)
PEDF Peptides (H105A)Retinitis pigmentosa, photoreceptor preservationStrong preclinicalPlannedEye drops
EpitalonRetinal degeneration, diabetic retinopathyModerate preclinical + limited clinicalLimitedInjection
GHK-CuPeriocular skin agingStrong (for skin)Yes (skin)Topical cream

The Drug Delivery Challenge

One of the biggest obstacles in ocular therapeutics is getting the drug where it needs to go. The eye has multiple barriers: the tear film washes away topical drugs, the corneal epithelium blocks hydrophilic molecules, and the blood-retinal barrier protects internal structures from systemic drugs.

This is why peptide research for the eye is so focused on delivery innovation. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are being developed to ferry therapeutic cargo through ocular barriers. Nanoparticle formulations are being engineered to extend drug retention time. And novel peptide designs — like the PEDF fragments that can reach the retina as simple eye drops — represent a shift toward non-invasive treatments for conditions that currently require injections [1].

For patients with wet AMD who currently endure monthly or bimonthly intravitreal injections, a peptide eye drop that reaches the retina would be transformative. The PEDF peptide research and the cell-penetrating peptide approaches are both moving in this direction.

The peptide stacking guide covers how researchers approach combining peptides, though ocular peptide combinations remain largely unexplored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are any peptide eye drops currently available for clinical use? Not yet. Thymosin beta-4 (RGN-259) completed Phase II trials for dry eye, and PEDF-derived peptide eye drops are moving toward human trials. Elamipretide has been tested in clinical trials for AMD but was administered by subcutaneous injection, not eye drops. All other peptides for internal eye conditions remain in preclinical research.

Can BPC-157 eye drops help with corneal injuries? In rat models, BPC-157 eye drops accelerated healing of both surface and perforating corneal injuries while preventing neovascularization and maintaining corneal transparency. However, these results have not been tested in human clinical trials. The animal data is consistent and encouraging, but human application remains unvalidated.

What is the difference between peptides for eye health and peptides for skin around the eyes? Peptides like GHK-Cu and copper peptides are proven for the skin around the eyes — reducing wrinkles, improving firmness, and supporting collagen. Peptides for internal eye health (BPC-157, TB-500, SS-31, humanin, PEDF fragments) target the cornea, retina, or other internal structures. These are two distinct applications that should not be confused. A topical GHK-Cu eye cream will not treat macular degeneration.

How does SS-31 differ from other antioxidants for eye health? Most antioxidants work in the general cellular environment. SS-31 is different because it targets mitochondria specifically — accumulating at the inner mitochondrial membrane where it stabilizes cardiolipin and reduces oxidative damage at its source. Since mitochondrial dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a primary driver of retinal degeneration, this targeted approach may be more effective than broad-spectrum antioxidants like lutein or zeaxanthin, though they work through complementary mechanisms.

Are there peptides for cataracts? No peptides have been specifically validated for cataract prevention or treatment. However, the oxidative stress and protein aggregation that drive cataract formation overlap with pathways that peptides like humanin and SS-31 affect. This is a theoretical connection that has not been directly tested.

Where can I learn more about the peptides mentioned here? Each peptide profile on PeptideJournal.org covers the full research base: BPC-157, TB-500, SS-31, Humanin, and GHK-Cu. For broader context on peptide approaches to tissue repair, see the best peptides for wound healing guide.

The Bottom Line

Eye health peptide research is moving fast, and several candidates are approaching or have already entered human clinical trials. Thymosin beta-4 and SS-31 lead the pack with actual human data, while PEDF-derived peptide eye drops represent a potential game-changer that could shift retinal disease treatment from injections to drops. BPC-157 has the broadest preclinical evidence across the widest range of eye conditions, but still lacks human trial data for ocular use.

The common thread is that these peptides target root causes — oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired wound healing, and uncontrolled inflammation — rather than just managing symptoms. That approach aligns with where ophthalmology is heading as a field.

What these peptides do not offer yet is certainty. Animal results do not always translate to humans. Phase II trials can fail to confirm Phase I findings. And delivery challenges remain significant for getting therapeutic peptides to the right part of the eye at the right concentration.

If you are dealing with eye health concerns, your ophthalmologist remains the right first conversation. But it is worth knowing that peptide-based treatments are in the pipeline — and some may be available within the next few years.

References

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