Certain Popular Antidepressants Linked to Cataracts in Seniors

A widely prescribed type of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) appear to boost the risk for developing cataracts among seniors, according to a new study.

The increase in risk, reported in Ophthalmology, was calculated to be approximately 15%, the researchers found. At that rate, 22,000 Americans would theoretically develop cataracts as a result of their antidepressant use, the study authors noted.

The research team analyzed data concerning almost 19,000 patients over the age 65, and compared the findings to data from 190,000 men and women in the same age group not taking antidepressants.

Strong links to cataract risk were found for three specific SSRI drugs: fluvoxamine (Luvox), venlafaxine (Effexor) and paroxetine (Paxil), the researchers found. Each contributed to an elevated risk of 39%, 33%, and 23%, respectively.

However, rising risk was only associated with the current use of such medications, not prior use, the authors note.

Researchers further observed that not all antidepressants appeared to be linked to an increased risk for cataracts, although they noted that the lack of an association was not definitive proof that there is in fact no risk.

Source: Brigham and Women's Hospital