Cataracts - Supplements

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Cataracts
Keep your lenses clear by limiting the damage that causes cataracts, a condition that produces cloudiness in the eyes. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
  • Load up on lutein

    Supplement with 15 mg of this healthy antioxidant three times a week to improve vision in cases of age-related cataracts

  • See what C can do

    Help maintain antioxidant protection against cataracts by taking 500 to 1,000 mg of vitamin C every day

  • Enjoy an eye-healthy diet

    Eat plenty of green, leafy, lutein-rich vegetables, such as spinach and kale

  • Say good-bye to smoking

    Kick the habit to reduce the risk of oxidative damage that can lead to cataracts

  • Block those rays

    Shield your eyes from excessive exposure to sunlight to reduce the risk of oxidative damage leading to cataracts

Also indexed as:
  • cataract,
  • cataracts
Alternative Treatments

About this treatment

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.


SupplementAmountWhy
Lutein
15 mg three times per week2 stars People with high intakes of the carotenoid lutein have been reported to be at a low risk for cataracts.


2 stars Lutein

15 mg three times per week

People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts.4 , 5

People who eat a lot of spinach and kale, which are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids similar to beta-carotene, have been reported to be at low risk for cataracts.6 , 7 Lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene offer the promise of protection because they are antioxidants. It is quite possible, however, that lutein is more important than beta-carotene, because lutein is found in the lens of the eye, while beta-carotene is not.8 In one preliminary study, lutein and zeaxanthin were the only carotenoids associated with protection from cataracts.9 People with the highest intake of lutein and zeaxanthin were half as likely to develop cataracts as those with the lowest intake. In another study, supplementation with 15 mg of lutein three times a week for one year significantly improved visual function in a small group of people with age-related cataracts.10


SupplementAmountWhy
Vitamin B2
3 mg daily with 40 mg daily vitamin B32 stars Vitamin B2 is needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye. In one study, supplementing with vitamin B2 prevented cataracts in people who were deficient.


2 stars Vitamin B2

3 mg daily with 40 mg daily vitamin B3

People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts.11 , 12

Vitamin B2 and vitamin B3 are needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye. Vitamin B2 deficiency has been linked to cataracts.13, 14 Older people taking 3 mg of vitamin B2 and 40 mg of vitamin B3 per day were partly protected against cataracts in one trial.15 However, the intake of vitamin B2 in China is relatively low, and it is not clear whether supplementation would help prevent cataracts in populations where vitamin B2 intake is higher.


SupplementAmountWhy
Vitamin C
500 to 1,000 mg daily2 stars Supplementing with vitamin C, an important nutrient for healthy vision, has been linked with lower risk of developing cataracts.


2 stars Vitamin C

500 to 1,000 mg daily

People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts.16 , 17

The major antioxidants in the lens of the eye are vitamin C18 and glutathione (a molecule composed of three amino acids).19 Vitamin C is needed to activate vitamin E,20 which in turn activates glutathione. Both nutrients are important for healthy vision. People who take multivitamins or any supplements containing vitamins C or E for more than 10 years have been reported to have a 60% lower risk of forming a cataract.21

Vitamin C levels in the eye decrease with age.22 However, supplementing with vitamin C prevents this decrease23 and has been linked to a lower risk of developing cataracts.24 , 25 Healthy people are more likely to take vitamin C and vitamin E supplements than those with cataracts according to some,26 but not all,27 studies. Dietary vitamin C intake has not been consistently associated with protection from cataracts.28 , 29 Nonetheless, because people who supplement with vitamin C have developed far fewer cataracts in some research,30 , 31 doctors often recommend 500 to 1,000 mg of vitamin C supplementation as part of a cataract prevention program. The difference between successful and unsuccessful trials may be tied to the length of time people actually supplement with vitamin C. In one preliminary study, people taking vitamin C for at least ten years showed a dramatic reduction in cataract risk, but those taking vitamin C for less than ten years showed no evidence of protection at all.32


SupplementAmountWhy
Beta-Carotene
Refer to label instructions 1 star People who eat fruits and vegetables rich in beta-carotene have a lower risk of developing cataracts.


1 star Beta-Carotene

Caution: Synthetic beta-carotene has been linked to increased risk of lung cancer in smokers. Until more is known, smokers should avoid all beta-carotene supplements.

People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts.33 , 34

Some,35 but not all,36 studies have reported that people eating more foods rich in beta-carotene had a lower the risk of developing cataracts. Supplementation with synthetic beta-carotene has not been found to reduce the risk of cataract formation.37 It remains unclear whether natural beta-carotene from food or supplements would protect the eye or whether beta-carotene in food is merely a marker for other protective factors in fruits and vegetables high in beta-carotene.


SupplementAmountWhy
Bilberry
Refer to label instructions 1 star Bilberry is high in flavonoids called anthocyanosides, which may protect both the lens and retina from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of cataracts.


1 star Bilberry

Bilberry, a close relative of blueberry, is high in flavonoids called anthocyanosides.38 Anthocyanosides may protect both the lens and retina from oxidative damage. The potent antioxidant activity of anthocyanosides may make bilberry useful for reducing the risk of cataracts.39, 40 Doctors sometimes recommend 240 to 480 mg per day of bilberry extract, capsules or tablets standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides.


SupplementAmountWhy
Quercetin
Refer to label instructions 1 star The flavonoid quercetin may help protect against cataracts by blocking sorbitol accumulation in the eye.


1 star Quercetin

The flavonoidquercetin may also help by blocking sorbitol accumulation in the eye.41 This may be especially helpful for people with diabetes, though no clinical trials have yet explored whether quercetin actually prevents diabetic cataracts.


SupplementAmountWhy
Vitamin B3
40 mg daily with 3 mg daily vitamin B21 star Vitamin B3 is needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye.


1 star Vitamin B3

40 mg daily with 3 mg daily vitamin B2

People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts.42 , 43

Vitamin B2 and vitamin B3 are needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye. Vitamin B2 deficiency has been linked to cataracts.44, 45 Older people taking 3 mg of vitamin B2 and 40 mg of vitamin B3 per day were partly protected against cataracts in one trial.46 However, the intake of vitamin B2 in China is relatively low, and it is not clear whether supplementation would help prevent cataracts in populations where vitamin B2 intake is higher.


SupplementAmountWhy
Vitamin E
Refer to label instructions 1 star Low blood levels of vitamin E have been linked to increased risk of forming cataracts. Vitamin E supplements have been reported to protect against cataracts.


1 star Vitamin E

People with low blood levels of antioxidants and those who eat few antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables have been reported to be at high risk for cataracts.47 , 48

Low blood levels of vitamin E have been linked to increased risk of forming cataracts.49 , 50 Dietary vitamin E intake has not been consistently associated with protection from cataracts.51 , 52 Vitamin E supplements have been reported to protect against cataracts in animals53 and people,54 though the evidence remains inconsistent.55 In one trial, people who took vitamin E supplements had less than half the risk of developing cataracts, compared with others in the five-year study.56 Doctors typically recommend 400 IU of vitamin E per day as prevention. Smaller amounts (approximately 50 IU per day) have been proven in double-blind research to provide no protection.57

Last Review: 05-11-2011

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Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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