The study, titled “Age-related Cataract Is Associated with Type 2 Diabetes and Statin Use“, was published in the August issue of Optometry and Vision Science, the journal of the American Academy of Optometry. It was led by Carolyn M. Machan, OD, and colleagues of University of Waterloo, Ont., Canada.
The study analyzed nearly 6,400 patients seen at the optometry clinic at the University of Waterloo in 2007-08. With adjustment for other factors, diabetes was associated with an 82 percent increase in cataract risk and statin use with a 57 percent increase. Statistically, the increase in cataract risk associated with statins was similar to that associated with diabetes.
“Considering the increase in the prevalence of diabetes and the corresponding increase in the use of statins, the authors feel these findings serve to encourage further research on the long-term effect of statins on the human crystalline lens,” said Anthony Adams, OD, PhD, editor in chief of Optometry and Vision Science, in the release.
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