Cataract, carotenoids vitamin

J2. Jaques, P. F., and Chylack, L. T., Jr., Epidemiologic evidence for a role for the antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids in cataract prevention. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 53, 353S-355S (1991). 

Case-control studies measuring plasma concentrations of antioxidants concluded that high levels of carotenoids or vitamin C are consistent with reduced risk (Jacques et al., 1988 Mohan et al., 1989). Robertson et al. (1989) showed that regular use of vitamin C or vitamin E supplements reduces the risk of cataract surgery by 50 to 60%. 

Vitamin C is concentrated in ocular tissues and fluids, particularly in the anterior aspect (cornea and lens). A case-control study in Spain reported a 64% reduction in the risk of cataract (p< 0.0001) in those with a plasma ascorbic-acid concentration of more than 49pmoll however, no significant association with the dietary intake of vitamin C was seen. In a case-control study in the Netherlands, the prevalence of age-related maculopathy was reported to be twice as high in those with low antioxidant intake (from fruits and vegetables) however the data on vitamin C intake or plasma levels and maculopathy are conflicting. Lipid-soluble antioxidants, especially zeaxanthin and lutein (dietary-derived carotenoids that are highly concentrated in the lipid-rich fovea), may be more relevant in this condition than water-soluble vitamin C. 

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