Researchers at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and McGill University have linked some anti-depressant drugs, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), with an increased risk of developing cataracts.

The study, involving the database of more than 200,000 Quebec residents aged 65 and older, depicted statistical association between a diagnosis of cataracts or cataract surgery and SSRIs, as well as between cataracts and specific drugs within that class.

"When you look at the trade-offs of these drugs, the benefits of treating depression - which can be life-threatening - still outweigh the risk of developing cataracts, which are treatable and relatively benign", quoted Dr. Mahyar Etminan, lead author of the article. However, the researchers reveal that the study is unable to prove causation.

Also, it is revealed that the study failed to take the possibility of smoking into account- which is a risk factor for cataracts. Additional population-based studies are needed to confirm these findings, the researchers posted. The study has been published online in the journal Ophthalmology.