03.19.08
Indication: Cataracts
Source: Arch Ophthalmol, January 2008;126(1):102-9.
Research: The aim of this study was to examine prospective data related to the dietary intake of carotenoids and vitamins C and E and the risk of cataract in women. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline in 39,876 female health professionals by using a detailed food frequency questionnaire. A total of 35,551 women provided detailed information on antioxidant nutrient intake from food and supplements and were free of a diagnosis of cataract. The main outcome measure was cataract, defined as an incident, age-related lens opacity responsible for a reduction in best-corrected visual acuity in the worse eye to 20/30 or worse based on self-report confirmed by medical record review.
Results: At the end of the 10-year study, a total of 2031 women had developed cataracts. Researchers believe these prospective observational data from a large cohort of female health professionals point to higher dietary intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin (18% lower risk) and vitamin E (14% lower risk) from food and supplements as being associated with significantly decreased risks of cataract.