A possible role for vitamins C and E in cataract prevention.
Biochemical evidence suggests that oxidative stress caused by accumulation of free radicals is involved in the pathogenesis of senile cataracts. If so, appropriate amounts of the antioxidant vitamins C and E might be expected to prevent or retard the process. Such activity has been observed in several in vitro and in vivo studies of experimentally-induced cataracts. A recent epidemiologic study found that cataract patients tended to have lower serum levels of vitamins C, E, or carotenoids than did control subjects. The present investigation, which compared the self-reported consumption of supplementary vitamins by 175 cataract patients with that of 175 individually matched, cataract-free subjects, revealed that the latter group used significantly more supplementary vitamins C and E (P = 0.01 and 0.004, respectively). Because the results suggested a reduction in the risk of cataracts of at least 50%, a randomized, controlled trial of vitamin supplementation in cataract prevention may be warranted.
Robertson
J M
JM
Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Donner
A P
AP
Trevithick
J R
JR
D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002386:Cataract / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D012646:Self Administration; D013662:Tea; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013662:Tea; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid