Vitamin A and beta-carotene intake and cataract risk
What it found
Higher vitamin A and beta-carotene intakes were linked to lower cataract risk in people.
The link was weaker or absent for levels measured in blood.
What they found
Studies in people
Beta-carotene in blood
People with the highest levels of beta-carotene in their blood had a lower risk of cataract than those with the lowest levels. The link was significant.
Beta-carotene intake
Higher beta-carotene intake was linked to a lower risk of cataract. The link was significant.
Vitamin A intake
Higher vitamin A intake was linked to a lower risk of cataract overall. The link was significant.
Vitamin A in blood
No significant link was found between vitamin A levels in blood and cataract risk at first. After a sensitivity analysis, a lower risk was seen.
What the authors conclude
“Greater vitamin A and β-carotene intakes might be inversely associated with risk for cataract.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that greater vitamin A and beta-carotene intakes might be inversely associated with risk for cataract.
How it was done
It was unclear whether vitamin A and beta-carotene as nutrients protect against cataracts. The authors wanted to sum up the evidence from studies in people.
They pooled results from epidemiologic studies that looked at vitamin A and beta-carotene and cataract risk. They searched several databases and combined the findings.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These studies followed people over time or compared groups, so they can show a link but not prove that vitamin A or beta-carotene causes the lower risk.
- The studies measured intake or blood levels at one point, so they cannot show how changes over a lifetime affect cataract risk.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- the Medical College of Qingdao University, People's Republic of China
The paper
- Title
- Association of vitamin A and β-carotene with risk for age-related cataract: a meta-analysis
- Type
- Meta-analysis
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Wang A, Han J, Jiang Y, Zhang D (2014). Association of vitamin A and β-carotene with risk for age-related cataract: a meta-analysis. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). doi:10.1016/j.nut.2014.02.025PubMed 25194611DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error