Relation between lens opacities and vitamin and mineral supplement use.

PURPOSE: The authors evaluated the cross-sectional and longitudinal relations between lens opacities and intake of vitamins and minerals in supplements.

METHODS

Type and quantity of vitamins and minerals taken currently and 10 years before interview were obtained in a population-based sample of persons in the Nutritional Factors in Eye Disease Study (n = 2152).

RESULTS

In persons without diabetes, regular use of multivitamin preparations 10 years in the past was associated with decreased risk for nuclear sclerosis (odds ratio [OR], 0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5, 0.8) and increased the risk for cortical opacities (OR, 1.6; CI, 1.1, 2.2). In persons with diabetes, past multivitamin use was not associated with nuclear sclerosis (OR, 1.1; CI, 0.4,2.7) but with decreased risk for cortical opacities (OR, 0.1; CI, 0.0, 0.9). Cross-sectional associations with current intake of supplements were weaker, but in the same direction. Multivitamin use was not cross-sectionally or longitudinally related to posterior subcapsular cataract in persons with or without diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Use of vitamin supplements is longitudinally associated with nuclear and cortical opacities. However, the direction of the association is influenced by the type of opacity and diabetes status.