Lower risk of cataracts in men who take a daily multivitamin

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By Dr. Paul KrawitzDec 18, 2013

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A recent study published in the online journal of Ophthalmology reveals that middle-aged and older men may have a lower risk of cataracts if they take a multivitamin on a daily basis. Researchers analyzed the results from the Physician's Health Study, which involved 11,497 male physicians who were randomly assigned to take either a daily multivitamin or a placebo. The participants had no previous history of cataracts. The study was conducted between 1997 and 2011 with the participants completing yearly questionnaires. At the end of the study period, there were 1817 confirmed cases of cataracts and 1337 cataract removals. The study participants who were in the multivitamin group had a 9% lower risk of cataracts than those in the placebo group. Researchers believe that even though the lowered risk is less than 10%, it is still very significant. If taking a daily multivitamin can help to reduce the incidence of cataracts and thus the number of cataract surgeries performed, that is a tremendous accomplishment.

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