Daily Statin Might Raise Your Risk for Cataracts: Study
Daily Statin Might Raise Your Risk for Cataracts: Study
But benefits of cholesterol-lowering drugs outweigh risks, experts say
Mancini added that the risk is most likely an effect associated with all statins. However, this study did not prove that statins cause cataracts.
Dr. Robert Hegele, co-author of an accompanying journal editorial, said he doubts this study will be the final word on a possible statin-cataract link.
"Many other studies have looked at the same question, and the results of those studies go both ways -- some show cataract risk is higher, others show it is lower with statins. The current study does not settle the issue, unfortunately," said Hegele, a professor of medicine and biochemistry at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University in London, Ontario.
This study should not discourage people who need a statin from taking one to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, Hegele said.
"Statins are very safe and effective drugs," he said. "When statins are prescribed to patients who need them the most, the benefits hugely outweigh the risks, both theoretical and actual."
Statin side effects have been the subject of other recent research. In June, researchers from Italy published a study in the journal Diabetes Care that linked statin use to a slightly increased risk for diabetes. However, as in the case of the current cataract study, the authors concluded that the heart benefits of statins significantly outweighed the risks.
Daily Statin Might Raise Your Risk for Cataracts
But benefits of cholesterol-lowering drugs outweigh risks, experts say
Mancini added that the risk is most likely an effect associated with all statins. However, this study did not prove that statins cause cataracts.
Dr. Robert Hegele, co-author of an accompanying journal editorial, said he doubts this study will be the final word on a possible statin-cataract link.
"Many other studies have looked at the same question, and the results of those studies go both ways -- some show cataract risk is higher, others show it is lower with statins. The current study does not settle the issue, unfortunately," said Hegele, a professor of medicine and biochemistry at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University in London, Ontario.
This study should not discourage people who need a statin from taking one to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, Hegele said.
"Statins are very safe and effective drugs," he said. "When statins are prescribed to patients who need them the most, the benefits hugely outweigh the risks, both theoretical and actual."
Statin side effects have been the subject of other recent research. In June, researchers from Italy published a study in the journal Diabetes Care that linked statin use to a slightly increased risk for diabetes. However, as in the case of the current cataract study, the authors concluded that the heart benefits of statins significantly outweighed the risks.
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