Cataract News
| Cataract News |
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| Date: November 5, 2006 | |
May Increase Risk of Cataracts A 72% higher than normal prevalence of cataracts existed in the 1,705 tobacco users in the group. Among the smokeless tobacco users, the prevalence was more than twice as high as for the smokers. Nine times more heavy users of smokeless tobacco had cataracts than the heavy smokers in the group. According to researcher Dr. Prema Raju of the Vision Research Foundation, cadmium levels in the blood of smokeless tobacco users are three times higher than in non-users, and since cadmium renders a certain kind of antioxidant inactive, the eye's natural lens suffers oxidant damage, which may lead to cataract development. MONTREAL, July 2006 - Older people with asthma who use cortisone-based medications in their inhalers appear to demonstrate an increase in cataract formation and progression, say researchers at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal. The Montreal researchers in a large scale study found that people older than 65 using daily doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) to reduce risk of attacks of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increase their risk of developing cataracts by 24%. Because these medications are mandatory, patients should seek care with their Optometrist on a regular basis to monitor for cataract formation. MADISON, Wis., June 2006 - Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins could decrease the occurrence of a common type of age-related cataract, according to study results announced in June 2006 by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. Researchers say follow-up studies are needed. But initial results from close examination of 1,299 people who participated in the Beaver Dam Eye Study from 1998 through 2000 uncovered a strong correlation between use of statin and reduced incidence of common nuclear cataracts. When other risk factors such as smoking and diabetes were eliminated to achieve a balanced comparison between people who used statins and those who did not, statin users were found to have a 60% reduced risk of developing advanced nuclear cataracts. BOSTON, July 2005 - The debate continues to rage on whether fruits, vegetables, and the antioxidants they contain really do discourage cataract formation. A "modest protective effect" was observed by researcher William Christen of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. His team conducted a ten-year study of more than 35,000 female health professionals. When the study began, none of the women had cataracts. By the end of the study, those who had eaten the most fruit and vegetables were 10% to 15% less likely to have cataracts than the other women. REYKJAVIK, Iceland, July 2005 - In 1996 a five-year Reykjavik Eye Study was designed to look at the deterioration of eyesight in 1,379 people age 55 and older. In the cataract portion of the study it was found that those who were moderate drinkers of red wine had about half the risk of developing cataracts as nondrinkers. The red wine drinkers were also ahead of the game compared with drinkers of mostly beer or spirits, who had fewer cataracts than nondrinkers (but not significantly fewer). The researchers said they couldn't determine if white wine drinking also reduced cataract risk, because white wine isn't consumed in Iceland as much as red wine, and not enough study participants drank significant amounts of white wine. If you have questions or concerns regarding your vision or eye health please contact our offices in Stillwater at 405-372-1715 or Pawnee at 918-762-2573. |
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