Statins link to eye disorders

Treatment with cholesterol-lowering statins may occasionally cause diplopia, ptosis or motility problems, researchers have claimed.

According to a Reuters report, researchers from the Casey Eye Institute of Oregon Health & Science University investigated adverse events of this type documented in three large databases and their findings are published in Ophthalmology.

Drs F W Fraunfelder and Amanda B Richards indentified 256 cases of eye muscle disorders associated with the use of statins such as Lipitor, Zocor and Crestor. Of these, 62 patients stopped the statins and the diplopia or ptosis resolved.

Fraunfelder said: 'Sixteen case reports indicate that the statin was started again and the problem recurred. This is positive re-challenge data and very compelling evidence that a real adverse drug reaction occurred with statins.'