Low vitamin E may be linked to cataract development

Finnish researchers looking at the development of cataracts in middle aged men have found that a low vitamin E level may lead to an increased risk of lens opacity. The researchers studied 410 men who had high cholesterol levels with no history of insulin dependent diabetes or use of corticosteroid therapy. The researchers checked the lens opacities of the subjects three times at 18 month intervals. They found that those with low plasma vitamin levels had a higher risk of progression of early cortical lens opacities than those with high vitamin E levels. They also found an increase in cortical lens opacities in cigarette smokers.

Taken from The American Journal of Epidemiology

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