Q. I read that taking statins might increase the risk of cataracts. When I ran this warning by my ophthalmologist yesterday, she said I should not stop taking my statin because the procedure for removing cataracts is simple.
A. When Mevacor (lovastatin), the first statin-type cholesterol-lowering drug, was being developed, animal studies suggested that cataracts might be a side effect. This possible complication of statins remained controversial for decades.
In 2010 a British study showed that statins increased the risk of cataracts. This risk returned to normal within a year of stopping the statin (BMJ online, May 21, 2010). A new study shows that cataracts are 27 percent more common in statin users than non-users (JAMA Ophthalmology, online Sept. 19, 2013). Although your doctor is right that cataract surgery is considered routine, there can be complications.
For someone who has had a heart attack, stent or a clear diagnosis of heart disease, statins can be worthwhile. For otherwise healthy people, though, benefits and risks should be carefully weighed. To help you in this effort, you may wish to consult our Guide to Cholesterol Control & Heart Health with a discussion of risks, side effects and non-statin options. You will also find more information on the connection between statins and cataracts here.
