BioMed Central
)=SYJ-ta< Page 1 of 7
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;]O 7^s#v BMC Ophthalmology
7p"~:1hU Research article Open Access
R;Ix<y{U Comparison of age-specific cataract prevalence in two
)4o=t.O\K population-based surveys 6 years apart
dA M ilTo Ava Grace Tan†, Jie Jin Wang*†, Elena Rochtchina† and Paul Mitchell†
szM=U$jKq Address: Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital,
$4ZDT]n Westmead, NSW, Australia
$BO}D Email: Ava Grace Tan -
ava_tan@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Jie Jin Wang* -
jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au;
(/rIodHJO Elena Rochtchina -
elena_rochtchina@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Paul Mitchell -
paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au A5>gLhl7 * Corresponding author †Equal contributors
"
:nVigw& Abstract
bUg 2Bm!y Background: In this study, we aimed to compare age-specific cortical, nuclear and posterior
uhN(`E@ subcapsular (PSC) cataract prevalence in two surveys 6 years apart.
_tauhwu Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 participants (82.4% of those eligible) in
"=5vgg3 cross-section I (1992–4) and 3509 participants (75.1% of survivors and 85.2% of newly eligible) in
v.8S
V] cross-section II (1997–2000, 66.5% overlap with cross-section I). Cataract was assessed from lens
q'8@
0FT0 photographs following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Cortical cataract was defined if
bU +eJU_% cortical opacity comprised ≥ 5% of lens area. Nuclear cataract was defined if nuclear opacity ≥
NB6h/0*v Wisconsin standard 4. PSC was defined if any present. Any cataract was defined to include persons
0R!}}*Ee>q who had previous cataract surgery. Weighted kappa for inter-grader reliability was 0.82, 0.55 and
`?S?)0B 0.82 for cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract, respectively. We assessed age-specific prevalence using
$!3t$-TSD an interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age group were independent between the
+M%2m3.Jo two surveys.
ST[1'T+L Results: Age and gender distributions were similar between the two populations. The age-specific
3b/vyZF prevalence of cortical (23.8% in 1st, 23.7% in 2nd) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 6.0%) was similar. The
o5G "J"vxe prevalence of nuclear cataract increased slightly from 18.7% to 23.9%. After age standardization,
RlPByG5K the similar prevalence of cortical (23.8%, 23.5%) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 5.9%), and the increased
L"^366M! prevalence of nuclear cataract (18.7%, 24.2%) remained.
oX]1>#5UMg Conclusion: In two surveys of two population-based samples with similar age and gender
V$F.`O!hfi distributions, we found a relatively stable cortical and PSC cataract prevalence over a 6-year period.
qA\kx#v]P The increased prevalence of nuclear cataract deserves further study.
ob5nk^y Background
G78j$
^/0 Age-related cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual
Kxaz^$5Y$ impairment in older persons [1-6]. In Australia, it is
.t%Vx estimated that by the year 2021, the number of people
{EHG | affected by cataract will increase by 63%, due to population
B91PlM. aging [7]. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment
A
=#-u&l for cataract and normal vision (> 20/40) can usually
iBW6<2@oZF be restored with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
EuA<{%i Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is currently the
*xVAm7_v most commonly performed, and is, arguably, the most
k_^/ cost effective surgical procedure worldwide. Performance
,ST.pu8N. Published: 20 April 2006
M{RZ-)IC BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2415-6-17
/%w[q:..h Received: 14 December 2005
:%oj'm44! Accepted: 20 April 2006
R*fR? This article is available from:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 y%l#lz=6 © 2006 Tan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
0\^2HjsJ This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
Q3
1c@t which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
<5vB{)Tq BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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Lbkn Sy C of this surgical procedure has been continuously increasing
/ {~h?P} in the last two decades. Data from the Australian
^}\R]})w" Health Insurance Commission has shown a steady
wcT6d?*5 increase in Medicare claims for cataract surgery [8]. A 2.6-
'
uw&f;/E fold increase in the total number of cataract procedures
cBf{R^>Fd from 1985 to 1994 has been documented in Australia [9].
!\4FIs&Qv The rate of cataract surgery per thousand persons aged 65
s\R?@ years or older has doubled in the last 20 years [8,9]. In the
'PbA/MN Blue Mountains Eye Study population, we observed a onethird
') y~d increase in cataract surgery prevalence over a mean
Isb^~c_P 6-year interval, from 6% to nearly 8% in two cross-sectional
dq(L1y870 population-based samples with a similar age range
^`?>
Huu<w [10]. Further increases in cataract surgery performance
p ivS8C would be expected as a result of improved surgical skills
K 5[ 3WHQ and technique, together with extending cataract surgical
_S1uJ~j;E benefits to a greater number of older people and an
qNL~m' increased number of persons with surgery performed on
hh}EDnx both eyes.
0VPa;{i/ Both the prevalence and incidence of age-related cataract
e84TLU?~ link directly to the demand for, and the outcome of, cataract
0MPDD%TP
surgery and eye health care provision. This report
o#6}?g. aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of cortical
~T9[\nU\ and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract
RoRVu,1 (PSC) in two cross-sectional population-based
_AHVMsz@ surveys 6 years apart.
!o!04_ Methods
~!kbB4`WK The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a populationbased
(J*0/7
eX cohort study of common eye diseases and other
DUr1s]+P health outcomes. The study involved eligible permanent
zPYa@0I
residents aged 49 years and older, living in two postcode
0f1#TgX areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
Efl+`6`J Participants were identified through a census and were
,V?,I9qf invited to participate. The study was approved at each
,L G&sa" stage of the data collection by the Human Ethics Committees
y[rLk of the University of Sydney and the Western Sydney
gKCIfxM Area Health Service and adhered to the recommendations
GZo4uwG@a of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent
yNL71 >w4 was obtained from each participant.
aJ5R0Y, Details of the methods used in this study have been
x7?{*w&r described previously [11]. The baseline examinations
-tQ|&fl (BMES cross-section I) were conducted during 1992–
tDo0Q/` 1994 and included 3654 (82.4%) of 4433 eligible residents.
JSU\Hh! Follow-up examinations (BMES IIA) were conducted
xo$ZPnf(zv during 1997–1999, with 2335 (75.0% of BMES
TfPx cross section I survivors) participating. A repeat census of
_c
2# the same area was performed in 1999 and identified 1378
cx|j
_5%i newly eligible residents who moved into the area or the
]O."M"B eligible age group. During 1999–2000, 1174 (85.2%) of
LHb{9x this group participated in an extension study (BMES IIB).
@j6D#./7j BMES cross-section II thus includes BMES IIA (66.5%)
P7b2I=t and BMES IIB (33.5%) participants (n = 3509).
y^Lw7 Similar procedures were used for all stages of data collection
Y"@k vd at both surveys. A questionnaire was administered
^4"_I including demographic, family and medical history. A
_OY ;SJ( detailed eye examination included subjective refraction,
PewLg<?,G4 slit-lamp (Topcon SL-7e camera, Topcon Optical Co,
($wYawz Tokyo, Japan) and retroillumination (Neitz CT-R camera,
#d~"bn q;c Neitz Instrument Co, Tokyo, Japan) photography of the
-AX3Rnv^! lens. Grading of lens photographs in the BMES has been
2Y+*vN s3 previously described [12]. Briefly, masked grading was
$sJn:
8z performed on the lens photographs using the Wisconsin
HIF]c Cataract Grading System [13]. Cortical cataract and PSC
eZ
cm3=WV| were assessed from the retroillumination photographs by
NQG"}=KA estimating the percentage of the circular grid involved.
yS*PS='P Cortical cataract was defined when cortical opacity
A-W7!0
involved at least 5% of the total lens area. PSC was defined
}DSz_^ when opacity comprised at least 1% of the total lens area.
ciTQH (G Slit-lamp photographs were used to assess nuclear cataract
3X:F9x>y using the Wisconsin standard set of four lens photographs
Z|W=.RdA; [13]. Nuclear cataract was defined when nuclear opacity
4Z_.Jdu w was at least as great as the standard 4 photograph. Any cataract
-K
jCPc
was defined to include persons who had previous
g@QpqrT cataract surgery as well as those with any of three cataract
BWs\'B types. Inter-grader reliability was high, with weighted
; H3kb
+ kappa 0.82 for cortical cataract, 0.55 (simple kappa 0.75)
& zG= for nuclear cataract and 0.82 for PSC grading. The intragrader
?d%_o@ reliability for nuclear cataract was assessed with
mK4a5H simple kappa 0.83 for the senior grader who graded
-b{*8(d<I nuclear cataract at both surveys. All PSC cases were confirmed
@.})nU by an ophthalmologist (PM).
WFkXz*7B In cross-section I, 219 persons (6.0%) had missing or
VY F4q9 ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3435 with photographs
s#Le`pGoW available for cortical cataract and PSC assessment,
%$cwbh-{{ while 1153 (31.6%) had randomly missing or ungradable
r=9*2X# Topcon photographs due to a camera malfunction, leaving
^I0SfZ'Y 2501 with photographs available for nuclear cataract
EgY]U1{ assessment. Comparison of characteristics between participants
iz'8P-]K> with and without Neitz or Topcon photographs in
}LM_VZj cross-section I showed no statistically significant differences
q
g>i8V between the two groups, as reported previously
+`[$w<I [12]. In cross-section II, 441 persons (12.5%) had missing
0trFLX or ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3068 for cortical
S&VN</p cataract and PSC assessment, and 648 (18.5%) had
aA:Ky&5e missing or ungradable Topcon photographs, leaving 2860
=Xp3UNXg for nuclear cataract assessment.
|m=@;B| Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis
TWn7&,N System (SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Age-adjusted
04(h!@!g: prevalence was calculated using direct standardization of
`Q{k
iy the cross-section II population to the cross-section I population.
6s Pd")%G We assessed age-specific prevalence using an
-F*j` interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age
>V]>h&` group were independent between the two cross-sectional
%o?fE4o' surveys.
eQ*gnV}rE% BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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qOng?(I Results
xUG|@xIwc Characteristics of the two survey populations have been
g]3-:&F{c previously compared [14] and showed that age and sex
7ed*dXY* distributions were similar. Table 1 compares participant
AD8~ characteristics between the two cross-sections. Cross-section
0AaN II participants generally had higher rates of diabetes,
x.d9mjLN8m hypertension, myopia and more users of inhaled steroids.
02S Uyv(Mt Cataract prevalence rates in cross-sections I and II are
1XSqgr"3 shown in Figure 1. The overall prevalence of cortical cataract
\+5 L.Q was 23.8% and 23.7% in cross-sections I and II,
#Q;#A |EZ respectively (age-sex adjusted P = 0.81). Corresponding
oVLz7Y[JE prevalence of PSC was 6.3% and 6.0% for the two crosssections
{xOu*8J (age-sex adjusted P = 0.60). There was an
eqLETo@} * increased prevalence of nuclear cataract, from 18.7% in
6R?J.&| cross-section I to 23.9% in cross-section II over the 6-year
^tpy8TQ period (age-sex adjusted P < 0.001). Prevalence of any cataract
(=p}b:Z (including persons who had cataract surgery), however,
yLI=&7/e@ was relatively stable (46.9% and 46.8% in crosssections
?Ww',e I and II, respectively).
i~\gEMaO After age-standardization, these prevalence rates remained
d` ^@/1tO stable for cortical cataract (23.8% and 23.5% in the two
Ir]b.6B surveys) and PSC (6.3% and 5.9%). The slightly increased
`5>IvrzXrK prevalence of nuclear cataract (from 18.7% to 24.2%) was
t);5Cw_ not altered.
V,2O`D% Table 2 shows the age-specific prevalence rates for cortical
*aTM3k)Zs cataract, PSC and nuclear cataract in cross-sections I and
8o~\L=
l II. A similar trend of increasing cataract prevalence with
I2zSoQ1P increasing age was evident for all three types of cataract in
#{N#yReh both surveys. Comparing the age-specific prevalence
gg6&F
zp between the two surveys, a reduction in PSC prevalence in
=lVfrna cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥ 75
!WbQ`]uN/# years). In contrast, increased nuclear cataract prevalence
CNP?i(Rk in cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥
|rNm_L2 70 years). Age-specific cortical cataract prevalence was relatively
uV;Z consistent between the two surveys, except for a
K_RrSI&> reduction in prevalence observed in the 80–84 age group
}De)_E\~ and an increasing prevalence in the older age groups (≥ 85
,ll!19y years).
ti'OjoJL Similar gender differences in cataract prevalence were
Rov0 observed in both surveys (Table 3). Higher prevalence of
O 89BN6p cortical and nuclear cataract in women than men was evident
g|2D(J but the difference was only significant for cortical
.}j
@(D cataract (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, for women 1.3,
sYXVSNonm 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.1–1.5 in cross-section I
t
6~|T_] and OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6 in cross-section II). In con-
kV-a'"W5 Table 1: Participant characteristics.
d[ {=/~0 Characteristics Cross-section I Cross-section II
tMupX-V n % n %
D b(a;o Age (mean) (66.2) (66.7)
F[9IHT6{ 50–54 485 13.3 350 10.0
FUMAvVQ 55–59 534 14.6 580 16.5
#U!J2240 60–64 638 17.5 600 17.1
F7=a|g 65–69 671 18.4 639 18.2
W;j*lII 70–74 538 14.7 572 16.3
zYH6+!VBH# 75–79 422 11.6 407 11.6
Qa"R?dfr 80–84 230 6.3 226 6.4
{>5c,L$ 85–89 100 2.7 110 3.1
3Dg I.V6un 90+ 36 1.0 24 0.7
W*VQ"CW{^] Female 2072 56.7 1998 57.0
m@"!=CTKd Ever Smokers 1784 51.2 1789 51.2
+)ro
EJ_ Use of inhaled steroids 370 10.94 478 13.8^
];oED?I History of:
a'Aru^el Diabetes 284 7.8 347 9.9^
nj)M$' Hypertension 1669 46.0 1825 52.2^
GAPZt4Z2 Emmetropia* 1558 42.9 1478 42.2
H2|w
Myopia* 442 12.2 495 14.1^
oSE'-8( Hyperopia* 1633 45.0 1532 43.7
-!7QH' n = number of persons affected
jj.)$|` * best spherical equivalent refraction correction
wxvt:== ^ P < 0.01
zoO>N'b3) BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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awMm&8cIM t
&Gxk~p< rast, men had slightly higher PSC prevalence than women
&zUo", }9 in both cross-sections but the difference was not significant
2<YHo{0BLS (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 for men in cross-section I
4W$53LP8 and OR 1.2, 95% 0.9–1.6 in cross-section II).
>>K)
4HYID Discussion
'X{7b
< Findings from two surveys of BMES cross-sectional populations
)p ,-TtV with similar age and gender distribution showed
(z+[4l7 that the prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC remained
3-tp94`8}t stable, while the prevalence of nuclear cataract appeared
#_4L/LV to have increased. Comparison of age-specific prevalence,
vy6NH5Q with totally independent samples within each age group,
`d8}3D confirmed the robustness of our findings from the two
V?
5QpBKI survey samples. Although lens photographs taken from
TY~0UU$ the two surveys were graded for nuclear cataract by the
]';!r20 same graders, who documented a high inter- and intragrader
Mx0c
#d. reliability, we cannot exclude the possibility that
,tmo6D6 2 variations in photography, performed by different photographers,
z{;W$SO
2 may have contributed to the observed difference
nvgo6* in nuclear cataract prevalence. However, the overall
$kkdB,y Table 2: Age-specific prevalence of cataract types in cross sections I and II.
\ssuO Cataract type Age (years) Cross-section I Cross-section II
[,xFk* # n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
$F;$-2 Cortical 50–54 473 4.4 (2.6–6.3) 338 7.4 (4.6–10.2)
fJC)>doM 55–59 522 9.2 (6.7–11.7) 542 9.0 (6.6–11.5)
_/P"ulNb 60–64 615 16.4 (13.5–19.4) 556 16.7 (13.6–19.8)
z[] AH#h 65–69 653 26.2 (22.8–29.6) 581 23.6 (20.1–27.0)
eAm7*2 70–74 516 31.2 (27.2–35.2) 514 35.4 (31.3–39.6)
@DY0Lz; 75–79 366 40.2 (35.1–45.2) 332 39.8 (34.5–45.1)
q>!T*BQ 80–84 194 58.8 (51.8–65.8) 163 42.9 (35.3–50.6)
7s>d/F3* 85–89 74 52.7 (41.1–64.4) 73 54.8 (43.1–66.5)
(Q#ArMMORI 90+ 22 68.2 (47.0–89.3) 14 78.6 (54.0–103.2)
kZSe#'R's PSC 50–54 474 2.7 (1.3–4.2) 338 2.4 (0.7–4.0)
?W%3>A 55–59 522 2.9 (1.4–4.3) 541 2.6 (1.3–3.9)
]wdudvS@6r 60–64 616 4.6 (2.9–6.2) 548 5.7 (3.7–7.6)
$?ke " 65–69 655 6.3 (4.4–8.1) 573 4.5 (2.8–6.3)
w[:5uo( 70–74 517 6.8 (4.6–8.9) 505 9.7 (7.1–12.3)
At +on9&= 75–79 367 11.4 (8.2–14.7) 327 9.5 (6.3–12.7)
rQN+x|dKMb 80–84 196 12.2 (7.6–16.9) 155 10.3 (5.5–15.2)
' G)Wy|* 85–89 74 18.9 (9.8–28.1) 69 11.6 (3.9–19.4)
*l_1T4]S 90+ 23 21.7 (3.5–40.0) 11 0.0
\'BKI; Nuclear 50–54 323 1.6 (0.2–2.9) 331 0.9 (–0.2–1.9)
.E[k}{k, 55–59 386 2.3 (0.8–3.8) 507 3.6 (1.9–5.2)
Lu1>A {et 60–64 453 5.3 (3.2–7.4) 501 11.6 (8.8–14.4)
dpGaI 65–69 478 17.2 (13.8–20.1) 534 18.5 (15.2–21.9)
U>ob)-tl 70–74 392 27.6 (23.1–32.0) 453 36.0 (31.6–40.4)
B~LB^
n(>@ 75–79 255 45.1 (39.0–51.3) 302 55.6 (50.0–61.3)
G4=%<+ 80–84 146 54.1 (45.9–62.3) 147 73.5 (66.3–80.7)
h#;fBQ]
85–89 50 64.0 (50.2–77.8) 70 80.0 (70.4–89.6)
)Ky0q-W 90+ 18 72.2 (49.3–95.1) 15 73.3 (48.0–98.7)
$o{f)'.>n n = number of persons
% 0fj~s; * 95% Confidence Limits
oA_AnD?G+ Cataract FMioguunrtea i1n ps rEeyvea lSetnucdey in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
vJ
mE} Cataract prevalence in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
[u,B8DX Mountains Eye Study.
tUz!]P2BUO 0
U%w?muJW 10
X(g<rz1J] 20
y4P mL 30
@i6D&e= 40
5FH#) 50
|CStw"Fog cortical PSC nuclear any
B5J=q("P cataract
\T<?=A Cataract type
_oe2pL& %
=GFlaGD Cross-section I
*hFT,1WE=+ Cross-section II
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~(4cnD)BO (page number not for citation purposes)
xjv?Z"X prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery) was
MLId3#Q relatively stable over the 6-year period.
Tw-gM-m; Although different population-based studies used different
=;^2#UxXA& grading systems to assess cataract [15], the overall
;Fp"]z!Qh+ prevalence of the three cataract types were similar across
(Cqhk:F different study populations [12,16-23]. Most studies have
$I>.w4G} suggested that nuclear cataract is the most prevalent type
f>l}y->-Ug of cataract, followed by cortical cataract [16-20]. Ours and
8;Yx a8i e other studies reported that cortical cataract was the most
e9N"{kDs6 prevalent type [12,21-23].
mi<V(M~p Our age-specific prevalence data show a reduction of
R9fM9 15.9% in cortical cataract prevalence for the 80–84 year
ks:Z=%o age group, concordant with an increase in cataract surgery
p>65(&N, prevalence by 9% in those aged 80+ years observed in the
N\<M4
fn same study population [10]. Although cortical cataract is
<_ddGg~ thought to be the least likely cataract type leading to a cataract
o;_v' surgery, this may not be the case in all older persons.
iHWl%]7sN A relatively stable cortical cataract and PSC prevalence
Pou`PNvH over the 6-year period is expected. We cannot offer a
b!ot%uZZ definitive explanation for the increase in nuclear cataract
?IGT !' prevalence. A possible explanation could be that a moderate
`NyvJt^< level of nuclear cataract causes less visual disturbance
"P"~/<:) than the other two types of cataract, thus for the oldest age
LIirOf~e;! groups, persons with nuclear cataract could have been less
C!%BW%"R likely to have surgery unless it is very dense or co-existing
Fl<BCJY with cortical cataract or PSC. Previous studies have shown
:a[L-lr`e that functional vision and reading performance were high
g}P.ksM in patients undergoing cataract surgery who had nuclear
yG2j!D cataract only compared to those with mixed type of cataract
IF$f^$ (nuclear and cortical) or PSC [24,25]. In addition, the
*:aJlvk overall prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery)
28>gAz.# was similar in the two cross-sections, which appears
aXhgzI5] to support our speculation that in the oldest age group,
$ R,7#7bG nuclear cataract may have been less likely to be operated
mJ)o-BV than the other two types of cataract. This could have
3?.3Z!H/ resulted in an increased nuclear cataract prevalence (due
%Z}A+Rv+*m to less being operated), compensated by the decreased
Qt+
K,LY prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC (due to these being
OB>Pk_eQK more likely to be operated), leading to stable overall prevalence
oV&AJ=|\ of any cataract.
@s b\0 } Possible selection bias arising from selective survival
[wj&.I{^s among persons without cataract could have led to underestimation
zdlysr# of cataract prevalence in both surveys. We
=*~]lz__M assume that such an underestimation occurred equally in
Q]uxZ;}aF both surveys, and thus should not have influenced our
vxzh|uF assessment of temporal changes.
#9F=+[L Measurement error could also have partially contributed
Uw8 O"}U8 to the observed difference in nuclear cataract prevalence.
mJ2>#j;5f Assessment of nuclear cataract from photographs is a
OlL
FuVR potentially subjective process that can be influenced by
(j@3=-%6 G variations in photography (light exposure, focus and the
{*RyT.J slit-lamp angle when the photograph was taken) and
"g;^R/sfq grading. Although we used the same Topcon slit-lamp
9tDo5
29 camera and the same two graders who graded photos
d~M;@<eD from both surveys, we are still not able to exclude the possibility
>`R}ulz) of a partial influence from photographic variation
!B5 }`*1D on this result.
kq&xH;9=. A similar gender difference (women having a higher rate
klmRU@D than men) in cortical cataract prevalence was observed in
Z7a~M3VnZ both surveys. Our findings are in keeping with observations
fs_6`Xt from the Beaver Dam Eye Study [18], the Barbados
owM3Gz%?UA Eye Study [22] and the Lens Opacities Case-Control
Y3KKskhLx Group [26]. It has been suggested that the difference
q$6fb)2I]e could be related to hormonal factors [18,22]. A previous
YC+}H33 study on biochemical factors and cataract showed that a
v[~e=^IIsl lower level of iron was associated with an increased risk of
/UtCJMQ cortical cataract [27]. No interaction between sex and biochemical
US3rkkgDO factors were detected and no gender difference
VSns_>o was assessed in this study [27]. The gender difference seen
`}<x"f7.z in cortical cataract could be related to relatively low iron
=8:m:Y&|`G levels and low hemoglobin concentration usually seen in
mux_S2x9m\ women [28]. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cortical
j:ze5F A+ Table 3: Gender distribution of cataract types in cross-sections I and II.
/o%J /| Cataract type Gender Cross-section I Cross-section II
Awy-kou[C n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
iG*@( Cortical Male 1496 21.1 (19.0–23.1) 1328 20.4 (18.2–22.6)
Y7{|iw(# Female 1939 25.9 (23.9–27.8) 1785 26.2 (24.2–28.3)
1o5n1
A PSC Male 1500 6.5 (5.2–7.7) 1314 6.4 (5.1–7.7)
'e
@`HG
Female 1944 6.2 (5.1–7.2) 1753 5.7 (4.6–6.7)
O_-Lm4g?4 Nuclear Male 1106 17.6 (15.4–19.9) 1225 22.5 (20.1–24.8)
5M6`\LyU Female 1395 19.5 (17.4–21.6) 1635 25.0 (22.9–27.1)
vw(X9xa n = number of persons
3,;;C( * 95% Confidence Limits
W:s`;8iM$ BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 v',% Page 6 of 7
b/^i (page number not for citation purposes)
YKCd:^u cataract but in this particular population diabetes is more
o!bIaeEaU prevalent in men than women in all age groups [29]. Differential
W:5,zFW exposures to cataract risk factors or different dietary
V+04X" or lifestyle patterns between men and women may
O>FE-0rW}e also be related to these observations and warrant further
aS2Mx~ study.
VAGQR&T? Conclusion
uKOsYN%D In summary, in two population-based surveys 6 years
i6Zsn#Z7) apart, we have documented a relatively stable prevalence
O4Z_v%2M of cortical cataract and PSC over the period. The observed
A!xx#+M overall increased nuclear cataract prevalence by 5% over a
Obj?, O 6-year period needs confirmation by future studies, and
?7?hDw_Nk reasons for such an increase deserve further study.
l:Hm|9UZ Competing interests
)7`2FLG The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.
jPu m2U_ Authors' contributions
[9c|!w^F AGT graded the photographs, performed literature search
coG_bX?e and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JJW graded the
^*-6PV#Z photographs, critically reviewed and modified the manuscript.
DERhmJ;>H ER performed the statistical analysis and critically
)P|&o%E reviewed the manuscript. PM designed and directed the
F0i`
HO{ study, adjudicated cataract cases and critically reviewed
SO!|wag$ and modified the manuscript. All authors read and
;kE|Vx approved the final manuscript.
\x(ILk|'c Acknowledgements
;5cN
o& This study was supported by the Australian National Health & Medical
7k<6
oM1 Research Council, Canberra, Australia (Grant Nos 974159, 991407). The
\jHHj\LLr. abstract was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
q$ZmR]p (ARVO) meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 2005.
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