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Statins cut risk of cataracts by half

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may protect the eyes as well as the heart.

Statins cut risk of cataracts by half

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, like simvastatin or atorvastatin, may also protect the eyes, as apart from protecting the heart. Oxidative stress is thought to play a role in the development of cataracts. Therefore, researchers say it is plausible that treatment with statins, which are thought to have antioxidant as well as cholesterol-lowering properties, could protect against this common age-related eye problem. Australian researchers from the University of Sydney evaluated the association between statin use and the development of cataracts in 3,654 elderly subjects between 1992 and 1994. Subjects were re-evaluated at 5 and 10 years after they entered the study. After 10 years, 1,952 subjects were re-assessed. Results showed that people who took statins had a 48 percent reduced risk of developing any type of cataract. The results were valid when the team took into account the subject's age, gender and existing risk factors for cataracts. Since the protective influence of statins on prevention of cataracts could have potentially important health care implications, this relationship needs further studies for confirmation.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology,
May 2007
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