Cataract surgery more likely for people with celiac disease?

People with celiac disease may find they are more likely to need cataract surgery in the future, according to a new study.

Research conducted at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm and featured in the American Journal of Epidemiology, highlighted that vitamin deficiencies which are prevalent in people with celiac disease are associated with cataract formation.

Over the course of the study, the researchers established that there were 397 cataracts cases among 100,000 people with celiac disease each year, compared to 311 cases among the general population.

However, the researchers pointed out that rather than celiac disease causing cataracts, the two conditions could share common risk factors.

The link could also be due to lower intake of certain antioxidants and vitamins which are associated with a reduced risk of cataracts.

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, celiac disease is an autoimmune disease which affects around one in 133 people.

source: spirehealthcare