Statin use may reduce the risk of common cataracts

AORN Journal, Sept, 2006

Use of statins may be associated with a Lower incidence of nuclear cataracts, the most common type of age-related cataracts, according to a June 20, 2006, news release from JAMA. The incidence of cortical and posterior subcapsular cataracts, however, does not appear to be affected by statin use.

Statins, which commonly are taken to Lower cholesterol and to prevent cardiovascular disease, also have been shown to produce antioxidant activity. One risk factor for age-related cataracts, and nuclear cataracts in particular, is a condition called oxidative stress in which antioxidant levels are lower than normal. Previous research has suggested an association between nutritional intake of antioxidants and incidence of age-related cataracts.

Researchers analyzed data from patients who were considered to be at risk of developing nuclear cataracts within five years. Of the 1,299 patients who were examined between 1998 and 2000 and examined again between 2003 and 2005, 210 developed nuclear cataracts. Researchers found that the five-year incidence of nuclear cataracts was 12.2% in statin users compared to 17.2% in nonusers. The odds of developing cataracts were 40% lower for statin users after adjusting for several factors.

In addition, because both smoking and diabetes increase the risk of developing nuclear cataracts, the researchers examined the results of participants who had never smoked and who did not have diabetes. They found that the odds of developing nuclear cataracts in this population was 60% lower among statin users after adjusting for other factors.

Statin Use Associated with Reduced Risk of Common Type of Cataract (news release, Chicago: JAMA, June 20, 2006) http://pubs.ama-assn.org/media/2006j /0620.dtl (accessed 11 July 2006).