Relation between lens opacities and vitamin and mineral supplement use.

Purpose: The authors evaluated the cross-sectional and longitudinal relations between lens opacities and intake of vitamins and minerals in supplements.

Methods: Type and quantity of vitamins and minerals taken currently and 10 years before interview were obtained in a population-based sample of persons in the Nutritional Factors in Eye Disease Study (n = 2152).

Results: In persons without diabetes, regular use of multivitamin preparations 10 years in the past was associated with decreased risk for nuclear sclerosis (odds ratio [OR], 0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5, 0.8) and increased the risk for cortical opacities (OR, 1.6; CI, 1.1, 2.2). In persons with diabetes, past multivitamin use was not associated with nuclear sclerosis (OR, 1.1; CI, 0.4,2.7) but with decreased risk for cortical opacities (OR, 0.1; CI, 0.0, 0.9). Cross-sectional associations with current intake of supplements were weaker, but in the same direction. Multivitamin use was not cross-sectionally or longitudinally related to posterior subcapsular cataract in persons with or without diabetes.

Conclusion: Use of vitamin supplements is longitudinally associated with nuclear and cortical opacities. However, the direction of the association is influenced by the type of opacity and diabetes status.