Long-term vitamin E use slows cataract development

The April 2005 issue of the journal Archives of Opthalmology reports that long- term use of vitamin E supplements and an increased intake of the B vitamins thiamin and riboflavin are associated with a reduction in the progression of cataracts.

Researchers from Harvard and Tufts Universities analyzed data from 408 participants in the Nurses' Health Study between the ages 52 to 74. The association of cataract development with B vitamins thiamin, riboflavin and niacin, vitamins C and E, and carotenoids was evaluated. Computer-assisted image analysis was used to determine the amount of lens nuclear opacification (cloudiness) that occurred during the duration of the study.

Long-term vitamin E supplement use, and higher intakes of thiamin and riboflavin were associated with a reduced progression of opacities. Niacin additionally appeared to have an effect, although it was smaller than that of the other B vitamins.

The current research is consistent with prior studies which documented an association between long-term vitamin E supplement use and a lower risk of cataracts.