Multivitamins and the Risk of Cataracts

Over 50% of people over age 55 have some degree of cataract.  Currently, the only way to successfully treat visually significant cataract if with cataract surgery.  Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed procedure in the Medicare aged population in the United States.  The procedure typically takes about ten minutes to perform, does not hurt, the visual recuperation is quite rapid, and patients can return to most of their normal activities promptly.  With newer generation intraocular lens implants that can be used during cataract surgery, many patients can enjoy an improved level of vision and even a diminished need for glasses following their procedure.

Notwithstanding the tremendous achievements of modern microincision cataract surgery, the ability to prevent or slow the development of cataracts would be desirable.  In the April 2008 issue of the journal Ophthalmology,  The Clinical Trial of Nutritional Supplements and Age-Related Cataract Study Group reported on the effects of a daily multivitamin on cataract development.  One thousand twenty patients aged 55 – 75 years were given either a daily multivitamin (Centrum) or a placebo (ie: water pill that does nothing).  The patients were evaluated over an average of nine years.  The study found a statistically significant decrease in one type of cataract but a statistically significant increase in another type for patients in the multivitamin group.  As with any study, many questions remain.   At this point, however, while there may be health benefits to daily multivitamin intake, the data shows a mixed effect (good and bad) with respect to the effect of a daily multivitamin regimen on one’s cataract risk.  Ophthalmology, April 2008; pp599-607