Cataract prevention

Age-related lens opacification, the leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide (treated surgically). Standard prevention: UV eye protection (sunglasses), smoking cessation, diabetes control. Effective pharmacological cataract prevention is not described in international guidelines.

1 drug

Also known as: Lens opacity prevention

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

DLutein + zeaxanthinNot recommended · Carotenoids. Antioxidants for visionCochrane 2012 did not confirm a clinically meaningful effect of lutein and zeaxanthin on age-related cataract prevention. Some observational studies showed a modest inverse association between dietary carotenoid intake and cataract risk – but not RCTs. Standard cataract prevention: UV protection, smoking cessation, glycaemic control in diabetes.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit