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Condition

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens that brings blurry vision and glare and can cause vision loss. Lutein and zeaxanthin, plant pigments that gather in the eye, have the strongest evidence, rated moderate: in a study of about 1,800 women, higher levels in the diet and blood went along with less nuclear cataract. That evidence is mostly observational, so it shows an association, not proof.

Sources: PMID 18332316

Supplements studied
4
Graded outcomes
3
Trials
2
People studied
12,583

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

4 supplements

Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin: outcomes studied for Cataracts
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Nuclear Cataract Risk

The CAREDS ancillary study of the Women's Health Initiative (PMID:18332316, n≈1,787) found inverse associations between dietary and serum lutein/zeaxanthin and age-related nuclear cataract prevalence. Evidence is primarily observational and the independent contribution of zeaxanthin versus lutein is unclear.

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect3 studies1,800 people

Studies that measured nuclear cataract risk

Idebenone

Idebenone: outcomes studied for Cataracts
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Cataract Risk

In a rat model of galactose-induced cataract, idebenone (alongside esculetin) ameliorated cataract formation (PMID:32301145). No human studies for cataract prevention.

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect3 studies

Studies that measured cataract risk

Vitamin E

  • All-Cause Mortality
  • Cataract Risk: changes; see studies
Vitamin E: outcomes studied for Cataracts
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
All-Cause Mortality

No effect

NoneNo effect2 studies1,038 people

Studies that measured all-cause mortality

Cataract RiskChanges; see studies1,038 people

Vitamin C

  • Cataract Risk: changes; see studies
Vitamin C: outcomes studied for Cataracts
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Cataract RiskChanges; see studies1 study11,545 people

Studies that measured cataract risk

Key findings

  • Nuclear Cataract RiskZeaxanthinImproves (the measure goes down)
  • Cataract RiskIdebenoneImproves (the measure goes down)
  • All-Cause MortalityVitamin E

The Cataract Prevention Support protocol

2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements

  • Lutein and Zeaxanthin10–20 mg lutein + 2–4 mg zeaxanthin daily
  • Vitamin C500–1,000 mg daily

See the full protocol

Studies cited

9 studies from PubMed

  1. Esculetin and idebenone ameliorate galactose-induced cataract in a rat model.Journal of Food Biochemistry, 2020 · PMID 32301145
  2. Zeaxanthin and ocular health, from bench to bedsideFitoterapia, 2016 · PMID 26705841
  3. Lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin: The basic and clinical science underlying carotenoid-based nutritional interventions against ocular diseaseProgress in Retinal and Eye Research, 2016 · PMID 26541886
  4. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of idebenone.Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology, 2010 · PMID 20955109
  5. Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of idebenone in healthy male subjects.European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2009 · PMID 19125241
  6. Associations between age-related nuclear cataract and lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet and serum in the Carotenoids in the Age-Related Eye Disease StudyArchives of Ophthalmology, 2008 · PMID 18332316
  7. Vitamin E supplementation and cataract: randomized controlled trialOphthalmology · PMID 14711717
  8. Vitamin E in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer: the Women's Health Study: a randomized controlled trialJAMA · PMID 15998891
  9. Age-related cataract in a randomized trial of vitamins E and C in menArch Ophthalmol · PMID 21060040