FW Fraunfelder, MD of the Casey Eye Institute at the Oregon Health & Science University studied the association of statins, a family of cholesterol lowering medications and eye muscle disorders. Published in the December 2008 issue of Ophthalmology, the study demonstrated a rare link between statin use and double vision (diplopia), loss of full range of eye motion (ophthalmoplegia), and drooping eyelids (ptosis). The average patient age was 64.5 years with an average time of onset of 8.3 months. All adverse reactions apparently resolved after stopping statin therapy.
If you are taking any statin for cholesterol management and develop any diplopia, ptosis or ophthalmoplegia, please contact your eye doctor and primary care physician.