Cataracts - Highlights

Highlights

Drug Warning

Tamsulosin (Flomax), a drug used to treat enlarged prostate glands, can cause complications during cataract surgery. In 2005, the FDA warned that tamsulosin can cause a surgical condition called intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS). Tamsulosin may cause IFIS even if patients stop taking the drug before surgery. Male patients who have taken tamsulosin or other alpha-1 blocker drugs should be sure to tell their eye surgeon. The surgeon may need to use different types of techniques to reduce the risk of IFIS.

Drug Approvals

Two new medications have been approved to treat pain and swelling after cataract surgery. Both of these eye drops are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):

• Bromfenac (Xibrom)
• Nepafenac (Nevanac)

Risk Factors

Hispanic Americans are at increased risk for developing cataracts. Yet, many of these patients will not receive cataract surgery. A 2005 study reported that cataracts were 3 times more common among Hispanic patients age 65 to 84 years than in similarly aged white or African American patients. Lack of English language skills and medical insurance were cited as the main obstacles to receiving proper care.

Cataract Prevention

Vitamin E supplements may prevent cataracts from getting worse, suggests a study in the Archives of Ophthalmology. The study found the best results for women who had taken vitamin E supplements for 10 years or more. The research also suggested that foods that are rich in vitamin B1 (thiamin) and B2 (riboflavin) may have protective benefits.

Surgery

Patients with diabetes should not have their blood sugar rapidly corrected before cataract surgery, according to a 2006 report in the Archives of Ophthalmology. The study evaluated patients with diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that causes damage to the eye?s retina. Patients whose blood sugar was quickly stabilized before surgery were at greater risk of having eye damage.