Anti-Depressants Increase Cataract Risks

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Some anti-depressant drugs are associated with an increased risk of developing cataracts, says the studies. The class of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) may cause cataracts.

The patients who take SSRIs, are more likely to be diagnosed with cataracts or to have cataract surgery. This studies is the first to establish a link between the class of drugs and cataracts in human.

“When you look at the trade-offs of these drugs, the benefits of treating depression – which can be life-threatening – still outweigh the risk of developing cataracts, which are treatable and relatively benign," says Mahyar Etminan, a scientist and an assistant professor in the Dept. of Medicine at UBC, who took part in the researches.

The study has been published online in the journal Ophthalmology.

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