Persistent use of statin drugs, such as Lipitor and Crestor, may lower your risk of developing cataracts, according to a new study.
In recent years, a growing body of evidence suggests statin drugs, used to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack, may have anti-inflammatory effects, and these effects could possibly reduce cataract formation.
Statin drugs are among the most commonly prescribed medications in America. They are designed to lower “bad” cholesterol levels and thereby reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Researchers in Israel conducted a retrospective study that reviewed the medical charts of more than 180,000 new statin drug users from 1998 to 2007 to determine if these individuals developed cataracts or needed cataract removal. During the study period, 27,301 cataracts were diagnosed and 6,976 cataract extractions were performed among the study participants.
Continuous use of statin medications throughout the study period was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of cataracts and cataract surgery among men and women ages 45 to 74 years. No protective effect was seen in participants who were age 75 or older.
The authors of the study concluded that persistent statin use by adults under age 75 has a protective effect against the development of cataracts.
SOURCE: Persistence with statins and incident cataract: A population-based historical cohort study. Annals of Epidemiology. February 2010.
Tags: cardiovascular disease, medications, statins