Ophthalmically acceptable compositions used in arresting the development of cataracts or macular degeneration comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent and a compound having the formula: 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.