NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The risk of developing cloudy lenses in the eyes may be linked to the use of cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, according to a new study.
While the researchers can't prove the drugs caused the eye condition, they found that people who took statins - such as Zocor and Lipitor - were about 27 percent more likely to develop cataracts, compared to people who didn't take the medication.
"The results were consistent that there was a higher risk of being diagnosed with cataracts among statin users," Dr. Ishak Mansi, the study's senior author from UT Southwestern Medical Center and the Dallas VA Medical Center in Texas, said.
Statins are popular drugs that block a substance the body needs to make cholesterol, which can get trapped in arteries and ultimately lead to heart attacks and strokes.
About one-quarter of U.S. adults aged 45 and older take statins. The drugs are especially recommended for people with diabetes or a history of cardiovascular problems.
Researchers have looked at the link between statins and cataracts before with mixed results. While some studies found that taking statins lowered the risk of developing cataracts, other studies found the drugs increased the risk.
For the new research, Mansi and his colleagues used data collected from the medical records of people between the ages of 30 and 85 years old who were enrolled in one healthcare system in San Antonio, Texas, and received care between 2003 and 2005.
In one analysis, they compared about 7,000 people who were on statins for at least 90 days to about 7,000 people who were not on statins but were similar in about 40 other characteristics, including other health conditions, medications and healthcare use.
About 36 percent of statin users were diagnosed with cataracts, compared to about 34 percent of people not taking statins.
In a second analysis, the researchers looked at people with no other known health conditions. It included 6,113 statin users and 27,400 people who did not take statins.
After adjusting the results for the participants' age, sex, weight, medications, healthcare use, other vision conditions and cigarette, alcohol and drug use, the researchers found about 34 percent of statin users were diagnosed with cataracts, compared to about 10 percent of people not taking statins.
What's more, the researchers found that the risk of developing cataracts increased with the length of time a person took the medication.
While Mansi and his colleagues can't say how statins may affect the formation of cataracts, they write in JAMA Ophthalmology that there are a few possible explanations.
One is that the body needs high levels of cholesterol to maintain a clear lens and statins may interfere with the cells that control that process.
Dr. Jack Cioffi, head of ophthalmology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York, said the study is very well done, but has some limitations, including that the researchers used billing data rather than medical records, so they can't say how severe the cataracts were.
"I don't think we should overstate the significance of this. It goes back to if there is a good reason for you to be on that statin, it outweighs the risk of a mild increase in risk of cataract," Cioffi, who was not involved in the new study, said.
He added that the treatments for cataracts have evolved over time. The National Institutes of Health says the procedures to remove cataracts are some of the most common and safest surgeries performed in the U.S.
"For patients themselves, my advice is to discuss what your benefit and risk ratio is for you with your doctor," said Mansi, who added that he hopes the results will also encourage people to improve their cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes.
"This should motivate patients to do their part. Quit smoking, eat healthy and be active so doctors don't have to give you a tablet that may have some side effects," he said.
Graham
5 comments:
Just about to switch off the computer and go to bed and saw this.
Another interesting read and the possible effects of statins. Is it not the case that the body needs cholesterol to build/renew cells? I feel sure I have read something to that effect.If that is the case then the statement in the article 'One is that the body needs high levels of cholesterol to maintain a clear lens and statins may interfere with the cells that control that process,'does show that possibly by taking statins the degenerating effect in cell renewal could cause cataracts.
It does make you think.
Paul B
On the other hand I have recently been advised that statins may prevent, reduce or even cure retinopathy / maculopathy.
Treatment of these conditions may, of themselves, cause cataracts. Reading all these contradictory reports may cause other as yet unidentified conditions. Talk about the jury being out on statins. They have probably climbed out of the window and run away!
I have to agree about cataracts being comparatively safe and simple to treat though, but I would have preferred to keep my own natural lens.
Always go for both ops close together if necessary. Just having one false lens can cause problems adjusting to light conditions.
Kath
I was prescribed statins some time ago and suffered all kinds of problems especially muscle cramps. I came off them and are now fine. This could be another worrying development in regard to eyes and cataract. Not a subject I know a lot about.
However, a friend of mine did recently have both eyes done. She was advised to have them done together, as Kath stated, and she has made a good recovery.
Perhaps if you don't need medication, it is best not to take it. But we are at the Doctors and if our Doctor prescribes medication our nature assumes it is in our best interest and we often pop a pill without thinking to much about it.
I have discovered the older you get the more ailments, niggles that can affect your body.
Sheila
"I have discovered the older you get the more ailments, niggles that can affect your body" Alas that is the way nature works. Perhaps, the cure, is doing your best to take a positive attitude.
My neighbour, in her 80's, had to have her cataracts sorted. Unfortunately although she had them done quite closely two different Doctors did it and the second she has had problems with. They are talking of doing the procedure again soon. I do not think she is taking statins just getting old.
Margret
Of course cataracts existed long before statins.So many more people have cataract surgery these days, quite a number elective from people who want to ensure they can continue to drive. There are obviously occasions when things go awry. A fairly common problem is that a blood vessel is nicked.This can cause swelling all around the eye but eventually clears by itself.
My cataracts grew very quickly as a result of eye surgery, I was amazed to learn that the procedure is sometimes left to more junior staff and not the surgeons at times. This doesn't happen in my hospital but it is always worth checking first.
I think the real importance of Graham's post was,in highlighting that in the rush to prescribe statins to reduce cholesterol its positive effects are being ignored.
We are gradually learning just how important it is to us.
Like everything else statins probably have a role to play for some people in certain situations. Sometimes, before trying to medicate the whole population it might have been an idea to research the protective properties.
Kath
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