BioMed Central
$Il?[4FF Page 1 of 7
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{Muw4DV BMC Ophthalmology
dLQV>oF Research article Open Access
4%do.D* Comparison of age-specific cataract prevalence in two
!"{+|heU9p population-based surveys 6 years apart
s,UccA@ Ava Grace Tan†, Jie Jin Wang*†, Elena Rochtchina† and Paul Mitchell†
).HYW _Yih Address: Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital,
|` gSkv Westmead, NSW, Australia
3#7D
g't Email: Ava Grace Tan -
ava_tan@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Jie Jin Wang* -
jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au;
_l}"gUti w Elena Rochtchina -
elena_rochtchina@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Paul Mitchell -
paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au L=zt\L * Corresponding author †Equal contributors
n DLr17 Abstract
z>HeM
Mei Background: In this study, we aimed to compare age-specific cortical, nuclear and posterior
ts rcX subcapsular (PSC) cataract prevalence in two surveys 6 years apart.
k[3J5 4`g1 Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 participants (82.4% of those eligible) in
/8 /2#`3R cross-section I (1992–4) and 3509 participants (75.1% of survivors and 85.2% of newly eligible) in
bN-ljw0& cross-section II (1997–2000, 66.5% overlap with cross-section I). Cataract was assessed from lens
595P04 photographs following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Cortical cataract was defined if
^b-o cortical opacity comprised ≥ 5% of lens area. Nuclear cataract was defined if nuclear opacity ≥
ZsjDe {TH Wisconsin standard 4. PSC was defined if any present. Any cataract was defined to include persons
{L 7O{:J who had previous cataract surgery. Weighted kappa for inter-grader reliability was 0.82, 0.55 and
!o
A,^4(
0.82 for cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract, respectively. We assessed age-specific prevalence using
C^vB&3ghi an interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age group were independent between the
78't"2> two surveys.
cnfjOg'\{ Results: Age and gender distributions were similar between the two populations. The age-specific
x O`
#a= prevalence of cortical (23.8% in 1st, 23.7% in 2nd) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 6.0%) was similar. The
G[7Z5)2B prevalence of nuclear cataract increased slightly from 18.7% to 23.9%. After age standardization,
d\Q~L 3x the similar prevalence of cortical (23.8%, 23.5%) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 5.9%), and the increased
0zR4Kj7EE prevalence of nuclear cataract (18.7%, 24.2%) remained.
JY
4sB8 Conclusion: In two surveys of two population-based samples with similar age and gender
at_~b Ox6X distributions, we found a relatively stable cortical and PSC cataract prevalence over a 6-year period.
We]mm3M3 The increased prevalence of nuclear cataract deserves further study.
8.9TWsZ Background
RtZK2 Age-related cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual
u*#j;Xc impairment in older persons [1-6]. In Australia, it is
Jr/|nhGl5 estimated that by the year 2021, the number of people
{ir8n731p
affected by cataract will increase by 63%, due to population
LIM
cZh ; aging [7]. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment
RL= for cataract and normal vision (> 20/40) can usually
P{qi>FJqe be restored with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
`Oxo@G*@}W Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is currently the
]F:5-[V# most commonly performed, and is, arguably, the most
;{xk[fm= cost effective surgical procedure worldwide. Performance
D@:w/W Published: 20 April 2006
+k=BD s BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2415-6-17
hrsMAh! Received: 14 December 2005
{<f_,Nlc Accepted: 20 April 2006
6|q\ M This article is available from:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 l (;~9u0sa © 2006 Tan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Gt9(@USK This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
q}vz]L&o which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Y](kMNUSg BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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y#%*aV}|B of this surgical procedure has been continuously increasing
GabYxYK in the last two decades. Data from the Australian
pwq a/Yi Health Insurance Commission has shown a steady
S!*wK- increase in Medicare claims for cataract surgery [8]. A 2.6-
fB~BVYi fold increase in the total number of cataract procedures
&j4 1<A from 1985 to 1994 has been documented in Australia [9].
!JZ)6mtlr The rate of cataract surgery per thousand persons aged 65
`~${fs{-`/ years or older has doubled in the last 20 years [8,9]. In the
_T,X z_ Blue Mountains Eye Study population, we observed a onethird
\UKr|[P increase in cataract surgery prevalence over a mean
U-uBz4Gha 6-year interval, from 6% to nearly 8% in two cross-sectional
9 F"2$; population-based samples with a similar age range
DEmU},<S [10]. Further increases in cataract surgery performance
g\%vkK&I would be expected as a result of improved surgical skills
GR@jn]50 and technique, together with extending cataract surgical
Q};g~b3 benefits to a greater number of older people and an
%!_okf increased number of persons with surgery performed on
8T3j/D<r both eyes.
l Je=z Both the prevalence and incidence of age-related cataract
7WuhYJbf
link directly to the demand for, and the outcome of, cataract
{5<3./5O surgery and eye health care provision. This report
AOvn
<Q aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of cortical
4g^nhJP$ and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract
%<4ZU!2L (PSC) in two cross-sectional population-based
X?p.
U surveys 6 years apart.
'IR2H{Q Methods
(%`
R{Y The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a populationbased
Gag=GHG cohort study of common eye diseases and other
zkFx2(Hq-f health outcomes. The study involved eligible permanent
r-Nv<oH; residents aged 49 years and older, living in two postcode
"oZ$/ap\ areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
Z?IwR Participants were identified through a census and were
*b<
a@ invited to participate. The study was approved at each
BQ\
o?={ stage of the data collection by the Human Ethics Committees
=3~u.iq$ of the University of Sydney and the Western Sydney
Fo$kD( Area Health Service and adhered to the recommendations
p3sR>ToJ of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent
qB%?t.k7 was obtained from each participant.
Gw\-e;, Details of the methods used in this study have been
STfcx]L described previously [11]. The baseline examinations
D7|=ev (BMES cross-section I) were conducted during 1992–
(T0%oina 1994 and included 3654 (82.4%) of 4433 eligible residents.
;r**`O Follow-up examinations (BMES IIA) were conducted
3,x|w during 1997–1999, with 2335 (75.0% of BMES
o.)8A8 cross section I survivors) participating. A repeat census of
;QRnZqSv the same area was performed in 1999 and identified 1378
#osP"~{
newly eligible residents who moved into the area or the
L?WF[nFR eligible age group. During 1999–2000, 1174 (85.2%) of
**].d;~[l this group participated in an extension study (BMES IIB).
?9F_E+! BMES cross-section II thus includes BMES IIA (66.5%)
C(RZ09,.S and BMES IIB (33.5%) participants (n = 3509).
}"V$li Similar procedures were used for all stages of data collection
Py&DnG'H at both surveys. A questionnaire was administered
f&z@J,_= including demographic, family and medical history. A
LF2@qv w D detailed eye examination included subjective refraction,
`|{6U"n slit-lamp (Topcon SL-7e camera, Topcon Optical Co,
s>pOfXIx Tokyo, Japan) and retroillumination (Neitz CT-R camera,
;q8tOvQ Neitz Instrument Co, Tokyo, Japan) photography of the
e 58 lens. Grading of lens photographs in the BMES has been
?0ezr[`. previously described [12]. Briefly, masked grading was
V*$(T t( performed on the lens photographs using the Wisconsin
,-4SVj8$P Cataract Grading System [13]. Cortical cataract and PSC
n$jOk
|W were assessed from the retroillumination photographs by
E[z8;A^:0 estimating the percentage of the circular grid involved.
b1("(,r/` Cortical cataract was defined when cortical opacity
d]kP@flOV involved at least 5% of the total lens area. PSC was defined
AU3Ou5 when opacity comprised at least 1% of the total lens area.
vf|lF9@U Slit-lamp photographs were used to assess nuclear cataract
qtqTLl@u using the Wisconsin standard set of four lens photographs
=LFrV9 [13]. Nuclear cataract was defined when nuclear opacity
9JG9;[ was at least as great as the standard 4 photograph. Any cataract
(c'=jJX was defined to include persons who had previous
sSh=Idrx cataract surgery as well as those with any of three cataract
]m>N!Iu types. Inter-grader reliability was high, with weighted
l> Mth+,b kappa 0.82 for cortical cataract, 0.55 (simple kappa 0.75)
&WqKsH$ for nuclear cataract and 0.82 for PSC grading. The intragrader
dzK]F/L] reliability for nuclear cataract was assessed with
>N&C-6W simple kappa 0.83 for the senior grader who graded
<`'^rCWI? nuclear cataract at both surveys. All PSC cases were confirmed
w6^X*tE by an ophthalmologist (PM).
kpe7\nd=> In cross-section I, 219 persons (6.0%) had missing or
:;wb{q$O ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3435 with photographs
C< :F<[H available for cortical cataract and PSC assessment,
k Xs&k8 while 1153 (31.6%) had randomly missing or ungradable
6{XdLI Topcon photographs due to a camera malfunction, leaving
<])w@QOA# 2501 with photographs available for nuclear cataract
[lSQ? assessment. Comparison of characteristics between participants
!A. Kb74 with and without Neitz or Topcon photographs in
|bHId
!d cross-section I showed no statistically significant differences
p6VHa$[ between the two groups, as reported previously
#4WA2EW [12]. In cross-section II, 441 persons (12.5%) had missing
Ik9 2='
Z or ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3068 for cortical
*ybwlLg cataract and PSC assessment, and 648 (18.5%) had
,| \62B` missing or ungradable Topcon photographs, leaving 2860
xk1pZQ8c for nuclear cataract assessment.
W|go*+`W% Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis
v{R:F System (SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Age-adjusted
$] js0)> prevalence was calculated using direct standardization of
aYjFRH` the cross-section II population to the cross-section I population.
{kLL&`ii We assessed age-specific prevalence using an
oEqt7l[I{ interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age
n..9F$a group were independent between the two cross-sectional
*mqoyOa surveys.
iNTw;ov BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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V9v80e {n4 Results
Q(
WE.ux)< Characteristics of the two survey populations have been
D@Zb|EI%< previously compared [14] and showed that age and sex
K22' XrN distributions were similar. Table 1 compares participant
Ib)>M`J characteristics between the two cross-sections. Cross-section
KcGM=z?: II participants generally had higher rates of diabetes,
[qHLo>
HaL hypertension, myopia and more users of inhaled steroids.
:Fm{U0;" Cataract prevalence rates in cross-sections I and II are
t"0Z=`Wi shown in Figure 1. The overall prevalence of cortical cataract
\7
8w1Rkl was 23.8% and 23.7% in cross-sections I and II,
sW#}QYd respectively (age-sex adjusted P = 0.81). Corresponding
^
fo2sN"
prevalence of PSC was 6.3% and 6.0% for the two crosssections
zc QFIP (age-sex adjusted P = 0.60). There was an
/4\!zPPj. increased prevalence of nuclear cataract, from 18.7% in
P1f?'i?J cross-section I to 23.9% in cross-section II over the 6-year
|%F[.9Dp period (age-sex adjusted P < 0.001). Prevalence of any cataract
MZt~
A
bt (including persons who had cataract surgery), however,
!6t
()] was relatively stable (46.9% and 46.8% in crosssections
q4XS
E, I and II, respectively).
R@=Bk(h After age-standardization, these prevalence rates remained
t^h{D stable for cortical cataract (23.8% and 23.5% in the two
83*"58 surveys) and PSC (6.3% and 5.9%). The slightly increased
<y+8\m
prevalence of nuclear cataract (from 18.7% to 24.2%) was
G)A5;u\P9 not altered.
-[kbHrl& Table 2 shows the age-specific prevalence rates for cortical
r)
jj]$0 cataract, PSC and nuclear cataract in cross-sections I and
!]tZE%? II. A similar trend of increasing cataract prevalence with
wo;`D increasing age was evident for all three types of cataract in
8$fiq}a both surveys. Comparing the age-specific prevalence
sR`WV6!9 between the two surveys, a reduction in PSC prevalence in
lFT_J?G$' cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥ 75
dP(*IOO. years). In contrast, increased nuclear cataract prevalence
/J8'mCuC. in cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥
66"-Xf~u 70 years). Age-specific cortical cataract prevalence was relatively
XgUvgJ consistent between the two surveys, except for a
LPgP;%ohO/ reduction in prevalence observed in the 80–84 age group
pq`Bg`c and an increasing prevalence in the older age groups (≥ 85
$x&\9CRM years).
!BHIp7p Similar gender differences in cataract prevalence were
=N-,.{` observed in both surveys (Table 3). Higher prevalence of
n/_cJD\ cortical and nuclear cataract in women than men was evident
Xp]tL3-p but the difference was only significant for cortical
>r7{e:~q cataract (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, for women 1.3,
xN\PQ,J 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.1–1.5 in cross-section I
pQaP9Y{OK and OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6 in cross-section II). In con-
]p(jL7 Table 1: Participant characteristics.
+ >N/q(l Characteristics Cross-section I Cross-section II
@b=b>V[d6 n % n %
}SHF Age (mean) (66.2) (66.7)
QKYGeT7&Y' 50–54 485 13.3 350 10.0
Pm]6E[zC 55–59 534 14.6 580 16.5
]p~QdUR( 60–64 638 17.5 600 17.1
6KmF 9 65–69 671 18.4 639 18.2
<o5+*X 70–74 538 14.7 572 16.3
aTC7 H]e 75–79 422 11.6 407 11.6
!7SZZz 80–84 230 6.3 226 6.4
P)~PrTa% 85–89 100 2.7 110 3.1
AF5.gk= 90+ 36 1.0 24 0.7
jcF/5u5e Female 2072 56.7 1998 57.0
8Z>ZjNG Ever Smokers 1784 51.2 1789 51.2
V)\|I8"
Use of inhaled steroids 370 10.94 478 13.8^
>\b=bT@iM History of:
(6p5Fo Diabetes 284 7.8 347 9.9^
%k#Q)zWJ Hypertension 1669 46.0 1825 52.2^
z#b31;A@$ Emmetropia* 1558 42.9 1478 42.2
HUurDgRi] Myopia* 442 12.2 495 14.1^
emb~l{K $ Hyperopia* 1633 45.0 1532 43.7
}' `2C$ n = number of persons affected
eHG**@"X * best spherical equivalent refraction correction
W&y%fd\&3 ^ P < 0.01
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e-f_#!bW t
c]O3pcU rast, men had slightly higher PSC prevalence than women
uYiM~^0 in both cross-sections but the difference was not significant
cYdk,N (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 for men in cross-section I
I'G$: GX and OR 1.2, 95% 0.9–1.6 in cross-section II).
S|Wv1H> Discussion
YD$fN"}- Findings from two surveys of BMES cross-sectional populations
Q~]#x![u0 with similar age and gender distribution showed
l"!.aIY"e that the prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC remained
VN|P(S6 stable, while the prevalence of nuclear cataract appeared
~h?zK1 to have increased. Comparison of age-specific prevalence,
9>d$a2nc with totally independent samples within each age group,
:<Y,^V( confirmed the robustness of our findings from the two
"YHqls} c survey samples. Although lens photographs taken from
d_L
l,*J9 the two surveys were graded for nuclear cataract by the
K=VYRY same graders, who documented a high inter- and intragrader
w<N[K> reliability, we cannot exclude the possibility that
mYXe0E#6 variations in photography, performed by different photographers,
P-[6xu+] may have contributed to the observed difference
tlu-zUsi in nuclear cataract prevalence. However, the overall
8$-(% Table 2: Age-specific prevalence of cataract types in cross sections I and II.
rC}r99Pe:x Cataract type Age (years) Cross-section I Cross-section II
4&~1|B{Z n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
v! uD]} Cortical 50–54 473 4.4 (2.6–6.3) 338 7.4 (4.6–10.2)
cF3V{b|bU 55–59 522 9.2 (6.7–11.7) 542 9.0 (6.6–11.5)
z'3 60–64 615 16.4 (13.5–19.4) 556 16.7 (13.6–19.8)
$S|bD$e 65–69 653 26.2 (22.8–29.6) 581 23.6 (20.1–27.0)
<i`Ipj 70–74 516 31.2 (27.2–35.2) 514 35.4 (31.3–39.6)
2ksX6M3kY 75–79 366 40.2 (35.1–45.2) 332 39.8 (34.5–45.1)
4 StiYfae 80–84 194 58.8 (51.8–65.8) 163 42.9 (35.3–50.6)
C^XJE1D. 85–89 74 52.7 (41.1–64.4) 73 54.8 (43.1–66.5)
4]u53` 90+ 22 68.2 (47.0–89.3) 14 78.6 (54.0–103.2)
p ElF,Y
PSC 50–54 474 2.7 (1.3–4.2) 338 2.4 (0.7–4.0)
l_FttN 55–59 522 2.9 (1.4–4.3) 541 2.6 (1.3–3.9)
L
|EvI.f 60–64 616 4.6 (2.9–6.2) 548 5.7 (3.7–7.6)
7"wr8 65–69 655 6.3 (4.4–8.1) 573 4.5 (2.8–6.3)
h)7{Cj 70–74 517 6.8 (4.6–8.9) 505 9.7 (7.1–12.3)
fB|rW~!v 75–79 367 11.4 (8.2–14.7) 327 9.5 (6.3–12.7)
3qE2mYK 80–84 196 12.2 (7.6–16.9) 155 10.3 (5.5–15.2)
NGtSC_~d 85–89 74 18.9 (9.8–28.1) 69 11.6 (3.9–19.4)
,IF3VE&r 90+ 23 21.7 (3.5–40.0) 11 0.0
9^QiFgJ
y Nuclear 50–54 323 1.6 (0.2–2.9) 331 0.9 (–0.2–1.9)
='a[(C&Y 55–59 386 2.3 (0.8–3.8) 507 3.6 (1.9–5.2)
lt`(R*B% 60–64 453 5.3 (3.2–7.4) 501 11.6 (8.8–14.4)
>VM@9Cph 65–69 478 17.2 (13.8–20.1) 534 18.5 (15.2–21.9)
3#`_t :"A 70–74 392 27.6 (23.1–32.0) 453 36.0 (31.6–40.4)
zs:OHEZw 75–79 255 45.1 (39.0–51.3) 302 55.6 (50.0–61.3)
2'Cwx-_
G` 80–84 146 54.1 (45.9–62.3) 147 73.5 (66.3–80.7)
~CCRs7V/L 85–89 50 64.0 (50.2–77.8) 70 80.0 (70.4–89.6)
!f[LFQD 90+ 18 72.2 (49.3–95.1) 15 73.3 (48.0–98.7)
/ CEn yE/ n = number of persons
5RXZ$/ * 95% Confidence Limits
WcqQR))n Cataract FMioguunrtea i1n ps rEeyvea lSetnucdey in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
F9p'|
- Cataract prevalence in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
9z6-HZG'~< Mountains Eye Study.
jI%v[]V 0
`dekaRo 10
i#]}k 20
|fqYMhA U 30
lHQ:LI 40
U27YH1OK 50
mrWPTCD{ cortical PSC nuclear any
k8IhQ{@ cataract
Tq{+9+ Cataract type
q
g1s]c~0u %
kT)[<`p Cross-section I
S"hA@j Cross-section II
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p* (page number not for citation purposes)
4P(muOS prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery) was
h|~I'M]* relatively stable over the 6-year period.
"?9rJx$ Although different population-based studies used different
R(p`H}^ grading systems to assess cataract [15], the overall
(Yi1U~{: prevalence of the three cataract types were similar across
xs#g different study populations [12,16-23]. Most studies have
?
nx3#< suggested that nuclear cataract is the most prevalent type
FK;3atrz of cataract, followed by cortical cataract [16-20]. Ours and
~]f6@n other studies reported that cortical cataract was the most
.cks){\ prevalent type [12,21-23].
rfo7\'yk Our age-specific prevalence data show a reduction of
T.d1? 15.9% in cortical cataract prevalence for the 80–84 year
Y#e,NN age group, concordant with an increase in cataract surgery
T)c<tIr6 prevalence by 9% in those aged 80+ years observed in the
Lf0X(tC same study population [10]. Although cortical cataract is
U80h0t% thought to be the least likely cataract type leading to a cataract
e|-&h `[ surgery, this may not be the case in all older persons.
h~EGRg A relatively stable cortical cataract and PSC prevalence
z]+&kNm over the 6-year period is expected. We cannot offer a
s5s'[< definitive explanation for the increase in nuclear cataract
u
H{oJSrK prevalence. A possible explanation could be that a moderate
vKO/hZBh level of nuclear cataract causes less visual disturbance
VW`SqUl than the other two types of cataract, thus for the oldest age
-UB XWl groups, persons with nuclear cataract could have been less
G!T_X*^q2U likely to have surgery unless it is very dense or co-existing
Xb<>AzEM with cortical cataract or PSC. Previous studies have shown
AZ.$g?3w that functional vision and reading performance were high
9Bao~(j/k in patients undergoing cataract surgery who had nuclear
V O\g"Yc cataract only compared to those with mixed type of cataract
O!G!Gq& (nuclear and cortical) or PSC [24,25]. In addition, the
Z% DJ{!Hnh overall prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery)
=u-q#<h4; was similar in the two cross-sections, which appears
oGRd ;hsF to support our speculation that in the oldest age group,
baoyU#X9 nuclear cataract may have been less likely to be operated
[XE\2Qa8e than the other two types of cataract. This could have
=&i#NSK resulted in an increased nuclear cataract prevalence (due
N7u|<
0[ to less being operated), compensated by the decreased
NDUH10Y:[ prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC (due to these being
iE?yvtr8 more likely to be operated), leading to stable overall prevalence
/\{emE\] of any cataract.
uUiS:Tp] Possible selection bias arising from selective survival
Ht:\
z;cu among persons without cataract could have led to underestimation
5Gs>rq" # of cataract prevalence in both surveys. We
G^sx/H76J assume that such an underestimation occurred equally in
d#OAM;0}5 both surveys, and thus should not have influenced our
eEBo:Rc9 assessment of temporal changes.
qSGM6kb Measurement error could also have partially contributed
,5V6=pr$ to the observed difference in nuclear cataract prevalence.
{+m8^-T Assessment of nuclear cataract from photographs is a
#M||t|9iu? potentially subjective process that can be influenced by
&b`'RZe variations in photography (light exposure, focus and the
^J&D)&"j slit-lamp angle when the photograph was taken) and
wz)s grading. Although we used the same Topcon slit-lamp
-u(,*9]cJ* camera and the same two graders who graded photos
DS;\24>H from both surveys, we are still not able to exclude the possibility
\WBO(,]V of a partial influence from photographic variation
n"`V|
UTHP on this result.
k33\;9@k A similar gender difference (women having a higher rate
}K={HW1> than men) in cortical cataract prevalence was observed in
o5j6(`#;
both surveys. Our findings are in keeping with observations
Z;V(YK(WO. from the Beaver Dam Eye Study [18], the Barbados
&l0K~7)b Eye Study [22] and the Lens Opacities Case-Control
qTK(sW Group [26]. It has been suggested that the difference
B$6KI could be related to hormonal factors [18,22]. A previous
4#}aLP study on biochemical factors and cataract showed that a
hsQDRx%H} lower level of iron was associated with an increased risk of
5'NNwc\ cortical cataract [27]. No interaction between sex and biochemical
n?nzm "g factors were detected and no gender difference
(c)=Do= was assessed in this study [27]. The gender difference seen
:'B(DzUR in cortical cataract could be related to relatively low iron
nShXY6bA levels and low hemoglobin concentration usually seen in
Ufl\
uq3'H women [28]. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cortical
#Lpw8b6 Table 3: Gender distribution of cataract types in cross-sections I and II.
_]33Ht9 Cataract type Gender Cross-section I Cross-section II
y%ij)vQY n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
1&! i:F# Cortical Male 1496 21.1 (19.0–23.1) 1328 20.4 (18.2–22.6)
J/jkb3 Female 1939 25.9 (23.9–27.8) 1785 26.2 (24.2–28.3)
bS;_xDXd PSC Male 1500 6.5 (5.2–7.7) 1314 6.4 (5.1–7.7)
'KIT^k0"Ih Female 1944 6.2 (5.1–7.2) 1753 5.7 (4.6–6.7)
pJvPEKN Nuclear Male 1106 17.6 (15.4–19.9) 1225 22.5 (20.1–24.8)
:Rb\Ca Female 1395 19.5 (17.4–21.6) 1635 25.0 (22.9–27.1)
BK%.wi n = number of persons
Ij7P-5=< * 95% Confidence Limits
Et!J*{s BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 bw zx_F/ Page 6 of 7
)
-_^vB (page number not for citation purposes)
\894Jqh cataract but in this particular population diabetes is more
w.w{L=p:<" prevalent in men than women in all age groups [29]. Differential
wYf\!]}' exposures to cataract risk factors or different dietary
_]OY[&R or lifestyle patterns between men and women may
]CF-#q}' also be related to these observations and warrant further
j{OA%G(I study.
T8a' 6otc Conclusion
,Q56A#Y\ In summary, in two population-based surveys 6 years
3T8d?%.l apart, we have documented a relatively stable prevalence
.p!
DVQ"a of cortical cataract and PSC over the period. The observed
a5
pl/d overall increased nuclear cataract prevalence by 5% over a
n#g_)\ 6-year period needs confirmation by future studies, and
llP
V{ reasons for such an increase deserve further study.
gSwV:hm Competing interests
w\acgQ^%e The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.
Ob/)f)!! Authors' contributions
).^d3Kp AGT graded the photographs, performed literature search
M5h
r0R{ and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JJW graded the
U0_)J1Yp photographs, critically reviewed and modified the manuscript.
rP4T;Clout ER performed the statistical analysis and critically
?Z 2,?G reviewed the manuscript. PM designed and directed the
!b+4[xky study, adjudicated cataract cases and critically reviewed
h p|v?3( and modified the manuscript. All authors read and
\:4*h approved the final manuscript.
'h
jEd. Acknowledgements
i]r(VKX This study was supported by the Australian National Health & Medical
8X,6U_>#a Research Council, Canberra, Australia (Grant Nos 974159, 991407). The
`[sFh%: abstract was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
JJd qdX; (ARVO) meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 2005.
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