Investigators in a Vancouver research institute noticed a 15% increased risk of cataract formation in patients taking Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI).  The researchers assessed data for nearly 19,000 people age 65 or older, all of whom also had cardiovascular disease. Their records were compared to about 190,000 controls.  The effect was strongest for three SSRIs: Luvox, Effexor, and Paxil.  The etiology maybe based on the fact that the crystalline lens has seratonin receptors and excess seratonin in the eye may the lens cloudy thereby leading to cataract formation.  Dr Ashraf, Medical Director of the Atlanta  Vision Institute, comments that patients currently or in the process of starting on oral SSRI antidepressant therapy may consider this minor risk of cataract formation.

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