Repairing optic nerve?

In a recent study, Stanford scientists were able to coax cells in damaged optic nerve to re-grow towards the brain, 200 out of 50,000 damaged cells (here). It was a combination of gene therapy and high-contrast visual stimulation.

Application to glaucomatous humans? A long shot at best.

"Flower" cataracts?

"After a bicycle accident injured one of his eyes, a 30-year-old man in India developed an unusual flower-shaped cataract, according to a new report of his case.

"...it's still not clear why these opaque regions take on certain shapes..."

But this is a case of sutural cataracts, of traumatic origin. No mysteries here.