Your inner eye holds a natural lens -- a clear, flexible structure that directs light onto the back of your eye, one of the many processes that must occur so you can see. Cataracts occur over time, turning the lens cloudy and hard, eventually disrupting your vision. Some people might wonder about the links between cataracts and medications such as cholesterol drugs. Knowing about cataracts and the side effects of cholesterol medications will help you understand your eye condition.
Formation
The natural lens of the eye is made of proteins and water. As you age, the proteins break down and lump together. This disrupts the clarity and flexibility of the lens. The lens will turn opaque and slightly yellow, preventing light from entering your eye properly. Instead of the light passing through the lens and landing in a specific location on the back of your eye, the light will hit the cataract and scatter, often causing glare problems as well as distorting vision. This process occurs over a period of time, typically taking many years before you notice vision changes.
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is a condition that can occur when you have a high dietary intake of fats. The excess fats build up in your blood and can accumulate along the walls of your blood vessels. Some people have high cholesterol as a result of heredity and not from diet. High cholesterol increases your risk for health conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. To reduce cholesterol levels, your doctor might recommend dietary changes that involve lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A change in diet might provide the best protection for some people, and your doctor might also recommend a medication to help lower your cholesterol.
Side Effects
High cholesterol medications do not have any known effect on the growth of cataracts. These medications can have other side effects, however, including muscle pain, muscle weakness, liver damage, skin rash and gastrointestinal problems. Some types of high cholesterol meds might cause a deficiency in certain nutrients in your body. Your doctor might recommend that you take a multivitamin, and she will periodically test your blood to ensure you have adequate nutrient levels.
Considerations
Taking high cholesterol meds will not increase your risk for cataracts, but certain steroid medications might promote cataract growth. Other risk factors include exposure to ultraviolet rays, eye injury, eye surgery, smoking and general health. If you have risk factors for cataracts, talk with your doctor. She can help you determine lifestyle changes appropriate for you, and these changes might decrease your risk for vision changes from cataracts.
