Age-related cataract in a randomized trial of vitamins E and C in men.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To test whether supplementation with alternate-day vitamin E or daily vitamin C affects the incidence of age-related cataract in a large cohort of men.

Methods

In a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial, 11,545 apparently healthy US male physicians 50 years or older without a diagnosis of cataract at baseline were randomly assigned to receive 400 IU of vitamin E or placebo on alternate days and 500 mg of vitamin C or placebo daily.

Main outcome measure

Incident cataract responsible for a reduction in best-corrected visual acuity to 20/30 or worse based on self-report confirmed by medical record review.

Application to clinical practice

Long-term use of vitamin E and C supplements has no appreciable effect on cataract.

Results

After

SUBMITTER: Christen WG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3051399 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature