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Long-term use of vitamin C and vitamin E does not reduce cataract risk
Arch Ophthalmol. 2010;128(11):1397-1405.
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Long-term supplementary high-dose vitamin C and vitamin E, used alone or in conjunction, had no appreciable positive or negative effects on rates of age-related cataract in middle-aged and older men, a large study showed.
"Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble antioxidant concentrated in lens fibers and membranes that may inhibit cataract formation by reducing photoperoxidation of lens lipids and stabilizing lens cell membranes," the study authors said. "Vitamin C is located in aqueous compartments of lens membranes, where it may function as an antioxidant and protect lens proteases from photooxidative destruction."
However, previous studies showed that vitamin E and vitamin C provided no significant antioxidant effects for 6.5 to 10 years, the authors said.
The randomized placebo-controlled trial included 11,545 healthy men age 50 years or older. The vitamin E group comprised 5,771 patients, and the vitamin E placebo group included 5,774 patients. The vitamin C group included 5,799 patients, and the vitamin C placebo group comprised 5,746 patients.
Vitamin E (400 IU) and placebo were taken on alternate days. Vitamin C (500 mg) and placebo were taken daily.
Study results confirmed 1,174 cases of cataract after 8 years of follow-up; 579 cases were in the vitamin E group, 595 cases were in the vitamin E placebo group, 593 cases were in the vitamin C group and 581 cases were in the vitamin C placebo group.
Data showed that neither vitamin E nor vitamin C had any material effects on cataract subtypes.
Because cataract development is related to oxidative damage over time, it is reasonable to think that antioxidants such as vitamins C and E would be of some benefit. However, this study shows that it is perhaps too little, too late because lens changes happen throughout life, due to environment, diet and age factors. The development of cataract is gradual, along a spectrum, and the primary factors that have been conclusively shown to influence this are smoking and UV light. My advice for my patients is to lead a healthy lifestyle, quit smoking, use UV-blocking sunglasses outdoors and continue routine eye examinations with their ophthalmologist.
– Uday Devgan, MD, FACS
OSN SuperSite
Section Editor
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