The Impact of Caffeine Consumption on Preventing Cataract

Several experimental studies have shown that caffeine inhibits cataract development by scavenging reactive oxygen species. Evidence from epidemiological studies, however, is controversial. Varma et al., found that the incidence of cataract blindness in humans was significantly lower in groups consuming higher amounts of coffee in comparison to the groups with lower coffee intake. Moreover, Rautiainen et al. showed that the dietary total antioxidant capacity including coffee of middle-aged and elderly women was inversely associated with the risk of age-dependent cataract. Another population-based study involving the population residing in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, did not find a meaningful association between 10-year cumulative incidence of cataract and the amount of caffeine intake.

Although cataracts can be surgically removed, barriers that prevent access to surgery are a problem in many countries. Moreover, no prophylactic treatments are currently available to prevent the onset of cataract. Yet estimates indicate that a delay of only 10 years in the onset of cataract could reduce the need for cataract surgery by as much as 50%.

The present study aims to investigate whether peroral caffeine consumption on a regular daily basis for a significant period of time and sufficient dose delays cataract development.

12000 eyes of 6000 patients will be included into this study. Patient will have to fill out a questionnaire for caffeine consumption habits during lifetime and risk factors for cataract development. Further, a complete ophthalmic examination, cataract grading, refraction, visual testing, and biometry will be performed.