Eye on statins: A comprehensive review

Mo Med. 2013 Jul-Aug;110(4):344-8.

Abstract

Over the last 25 years, statins have demonstrated their safety from an ophthalmologic standpoint. Studies relating statin to cataract formation are insufficient to alter the usual and customary prescription of statins. If there is an association between statins and cataracts, it is weak and clinically insignificant. Prospective studies have not demonstrated a benefit of adding statin therapy in patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), but these studies have not been adequately powered to detect moderate differences. A subset of patients with persistently elevated lipids despite taking statins may be at higher risk of developing wet ARMD. The use of statins for the prevention and/ or treatment of glaucoma patients warrants further prospective study. There is a possibility that statins may unmask or exacerbate myasthenia gravis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cataract / chemically induced
  • Cataract / prevention & control
  • Glaucoma / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Macular Degeneration / chemically induced
  • Myasthenia Gravis / chemically induced

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors