BioMed Central
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E3Y0@r BMC Ophthalmology
]T|$nwQ Research article Open Access
-BI!ZsC' Comparison of age-specific cataract prevalence in two
/O.Ql,6[ population-based surveys 6 years apart
%7 yQ0'P Ava Grace Tan†, Jie Jin Wang*†, Elena Rochtchina† and Paul Mitchell†
D!OY <? Address: Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital,
[zm@hxym Westmead, NSW, Australia
2A@oa
9 Email: Ava Grace Tan -
ava_tan@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Jie Jin Wang* -
jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au;
A?lR[`'u\ Elena Rochtchina -
elena_rochtchina@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Paul Mitchell -
paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au
!w Q?+:6 * Corresponding author †Equal contributors
%XeN_
V Abstract
%qo.n v Background: In this study, we aimed to compare age-specific cortical, nuclear and posterior
uq-`1m} subcapsular (PSC) cataract prevalence in two surveys 6 years apart.
s@iY'11 Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 participants (82.4% of those eligible) in
QICxSk cross-section I (1992–4) and 3509 participants (75.1% of survivors and 85.2% of newly eligible) in
T%&vq6 cross-section II (1997–2000, 66.5% overlap with cross-section I). Cataract was assessed from lens
u&c%L0)E& photographs following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Cortical cataract was defined if
Q|{b8K cortical opacity comprised ≥ 5% of lens area. Nuclear cataract was defined if nuclear opacity ≥
@v@F%JCZ Wisconsin standard 4. PSC was defined if any present. Any cataract was defined to include persons
k7rg:P who had previous cataract surgery. Weighted kappa for inter-grader reliability was 0.82, 0.55 and
@iV-pJ- 0.82 for cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract, respectively. We assessed age-specific prevalence using
2cQ~$ an interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age group were independent between the
4v_Hh<% two surveys.
#k)z5vZ$h
Results: Age and gender distributions were similar between the two populations. The age-specific
HBvyX`- prevalence of cortical (23.8% in 1st, 23.7% in 2nd) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 6.0%) was similar. The
:x[()J~N prevalence of nuclear cataract increased slightly from 18.7% to 23.9%. After age standardization,
R= mTJ'y the similar prevalence of cortical (23.8%, 23.5%) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 5.9%), and the increased
L5zCL0j` prevalence of nuclear cataract (18.7%, 24.2%) remained.
<F&XT@ Conclusion: In two surveys of two population-based samples with similar age and gender
$
-<(geI distributions, we found a relatively stable cortical and PSC cataract prevalence over a 6-year period.
v!ai_d^ The increased prevalence of nuclear cataract deserves further study.
kO*\JaD Background
~' 955fK> Age-related cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual
'{.4~: impairment in older persons [1-6]. In Australia, it is
CC"a2Hu/ estimated that by the year 2021, the number of people
d7r!<u&/ affected by cataract will increase by 63%, due to population
ReM]I<WuY aging [7]. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment
}PBL for cataract and normal vision (> 20/40) can usually
Rzsu 7w be restored with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
H.>EO|p Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is currently the
z\UXnRL most commonly performed, and is, arguably, the most
ke;=Vg| cost effective surgical procedure worldwide. Performance
9)S3{i6w Published: 20 April 2006
B[7,Hy,R BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2415-6-17
nIlTzrf6 Received: 14 December 2005
$G)HU6hF* Accepted: 20 April 2006
@XtrC|dkkE This article is available from:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 ]9w8[T:O © 2006 Tan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
$,/
E"G` This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
=8*ru\L:hr which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
iJoYxx BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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v,QvCozOz of this surgical procedure has been continuously increasing
j-**\.4a~ in the last two decades. Data from the Australian
z(%tu Health Insurance Commission has shown a steady
?<N} Xh increase in Medicare claims for cataract surgery [8]. A 2.6-
rloxM~7!,) fold increase in the total number of cataract procedures
.IY@Q from 1985 to 1994 has been documented in Australia [9].
i={4rZOD^ The rate of cataract surgery per thousand persons aged 65
FMF mn| years or older has doubled in the last 20 years [8,9]. In the
Rsq EAdZw[ Blue Mountains Eye Study population, we observed a onethird
9__Q-J increase in cataract surgery prevalence over a mean
@oH\r-jsgu 6-year interval, from 6% to nearly 8% in two cross-sectional
cc`u{F9 population-based samples with a similar age range
*6AqRE [10]. Further increases in cataract surgery performance
?,v&
o>* would be expected as a result of improved surgical skills
WwWOic2 and technique, together with extending cataract surgical
kiyKL:6D| benefits to a greater number of older people and an
OIw[sum2 increased number of persons with surgery performed on
VE*`Ji both eyes.
wxJ"{(; Both the prevalence and incidence of age-related cataract
dD39?K/ link directly to the demand for, and the outcome of, cataract
}#E]efjs surgery and eye health care provision. This report
hMS:t(N{ aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of cortical
u^]Gc p and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract
=Xid"$ (PSC) in two cross-sectional population-based
q2`mu4B surveys 6 years apart.
@J6r;4|& Methods
&Y9%Y/Y The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a populationbased
]Y->
EME:W cohort study of common eye diseases and other
%$)Sz[= health outcomes. The study involved eligible permanent
z,dFDl$ residents aged 49 years and older, living in two postcode
Cl&)# areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
#^|2PFh5 Participants were identified through a census and were
=1!.g"0 invited to participate. The study was approved at each
mxJe\[I stage of the data collection by the Human Ethics Committees
$5\sV4 8f of the University of Sydney and the Western Sydney
'@.Lg0` Area Health Service and adhered to the recommendations
"5N$u(: b of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent
AhjCRYk+ was obtained from each participant.
D]'
8BS3 Details of the methods used in this study have been
qn{9vr described previously [11]. The baseline examinations
/=#~8 (BMES cross-section I) were conducted during 1992–
"_BWUY 1994 and included 3654 (82.4%) of 4433 eligible residents.
QGErQ
+l Follow-up examinations (BMES IIA) were conducted
#X{lV]Z during 1997–1999, with 2335 (75.0% of BMES
5yV>-XT+- cross section I survivors) participating. A repeat census of
?f:0GE7 the same area was performed in 1999 and identified 1378
JH2-' newly eligible residents who moved into the area or the
DmB?.l- eligible age group. During 1999–2000, 1174 (85.2%) of
1[a#blL6W this group participated in an extension study (BMES IIB).
!@T~m1L
eY BMES cross-section II thus includes BMES IIA (66.5%)
EQHCw<e and BMES IIB (33.5%) participants (n = 3509).
PCc{0Rp\vk Similar procedures were used for all stages of data collection
Ck/w:i@>? at both surveys. A questionnaire was administered
#&K}w0}k including demographic, family and medical history. A
/;}o0
DYeW detailed eye examination included subjective refraction,
Nh4&3"g| slit-lamp (Topcon SL-7e camera, Topcon Optical Co,
nx{X^oc8e Tokyo, Japan) and retroillumination (Neitz CT-R camera,
K[9P{0hA Neitz Instrument Co, Tokyo, Japan) photography of the
/kO%aN lens. Grading of lens photographs in the BMES has been
JRtDjZ4> previously described [12]. Briefly, masked grading was
TH
CvcU?X performed on the lens photographs using the Wisconsin
~sWXd~\ Cataract Grading System [13]. Cortical cataract and PSC
2,h]Y=.s were assessed from the retroillumination photographs by
#%z@yg estimating the percentage of the circular grid involved.
zmFKd5 Cortical cataract was defined when cortical opacity
g- INhzMu involved at least 5% of the total lens area. PSC was defined
|B\76Nk when opacity comprised at least 1% of the total lens area.
eFQz G+/ Slit-lamp photographs were used to assess nuclear cataract
,LU|WXRB using the Wisconsin standard set of four lens photographs
qvJQbo[.9P [13]. Nuclear cataract was defined when nuclear opacity
\@
N[ was at least as great as the standard 4 photograph. Any cataract
]99;7 was defined to include persons who had previous
@Ps1. cataract surgery as well as those with any of three cataract
EM'#'fBZ>Y types. Inter-grader reliability was high, with weighted
.;:dG kappa 0.82 for cortical cataract, 0.55 (simple kappa 0.75)
{'+.?g for nuclear cataract and 0.82 for PSC grading. The intragrader
*Oh]I|? reliability for nuclear cataract was assessed with
<M,=(p{ simple kappa 0.83 for the senior grader who graded
[ofZ1hB4 nuclear cataract at both surveys. All PSC cases were confirmed
{>X2\.Rl by an ophthalmologist (PM).
A=wh&X In cross-section I, 219 persons (6.0%) had missing or
p,mKgL6
3 ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3435 with photographs
2t#[$2mg\0 available for cortical cataract and PSC assessment,
Gnie|[3 while 1153 (31.6%) had randomly missing or ungradable
h,i=Y+1 Topcon photographs due to a camera malfunction, leaving
Qf@ha 2501 with photographs available for nuclear cataract
w.-J2%J assessment. Comparison of characteristics between participants
uNvdlY] with and without Neitz or Topcon photographs in
qoC<qn{.a cross-section I showed no statistically significant differences
6dqI{T-i? between the two groups, as reported previously
W`jKe-jF [12]. In cross-section II, 441 persons (12.5%) had missing
#8B4*gAM or ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3068 for cortical
(ZD~Q_O- cataract and PSC assessment, and 648 (18.5%) had
3'tq`t:SQ missing or ungradable Topcon photographs, leaving 2860
;fm>
\f for nuclear cataract assessment.
_Q\<|~ Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis
ua%j}%G( System (SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Age-adjusted
-^$IjK-N prevalence was calculated using direct standardization of
"0?"
E\ the cross-section II population to the cross-section I population.
n,b6|Y0 We assessed age-specific prevalence using an
3 E!F8GZ interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age
?s9f}> group were independent between the two cross-sectional
^-qz!ib surveys.
Ev1gzHd!i BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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E.^F:$2 Results
dwUs[v Characteristics of the two survey populations have been
n@//d.T previously compared [14] and showed that age and sex
'17V7A/t distributions were similar. Table 1 compares participant
k$w#:Sx characteristics between the two cross-sections. Cross-section
O+ J0X*&x II participants generally had higher rates of diabetes,
k,jcLX. hypertension, myopia and more users of inhaled steroids.
4siq Cataract prevalence rates in cross-sections I and II are
aoU5pftC shown in Figure 1. The overall prevalence of cortical cataract
)W!\D/C+ was 23.8% and 23.7% in cross-sections I and II,
}syU(];s respectively (age-sex adjusted P = 0.81). Corresponding
Kd7 Lpw1u] prevalence of PSC was 6.3% and 6.0% for the two crosssections
)S|&3\ (age-sex adjusted P = 0.60). There was an
\qB.>f"%p| increased prevalence of nuclear cataract, from 18.7% in
DWk2=cO cross-section I to 23.9% in cross-section II over the 6-year
Z>ztFU period (age-sex adjusted P < 0.001). Prevalence of any cataract
H8qWY"<Vd (including persons who had cataract surgery), however,
OA&r8WK3 was relatively stable (46.9% and 46.8% in crosssections
9K=K,6
b I and II, respectively).
k3&
/Ei5 After age-standardization, these prevalence rates remained
Ej$oRo{IG stable for cortical cataract (23.8% and 23.5% in the two
:<,tGYg/! surveys) and PSC (6.3% and 5.9%). The slightly increased
G PL^!_ prevalence of nuclear cataract (from 18.7% to 24.2%) was
E^x/v_,$w! not altered.
MN_1^T5 Table 2 shows the age-specific prevalence rates for cortical
XZj3x',; cataract, PSC and nuclear cataract in cross-sections I and
C0H@ II. A similar trend of increasing cataract prevalence with
qex::Qf increasing age was evident for all three types of cataract in
``Rg0o both surveys. Comparing the age-specific prevalence
:<xf'. between the two surveys, a reduction in PSC prevalence in
7E R!>l+ cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥ 75
q`L}\}o years). In contrast, increased nuclear cataract prevalence
)H%RwV# in cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥
A2I\T,Z 70 years). Age-specific cortical cataract prevalence was relatively
gTg[!}_;\N consistent between the two surveys, except for a
2Kw i4R reduction in prevalence observed in the 80–84 age group
uo7[T*<Q and an increasing prevalence in the older age groups (≥ 85
"_ON0._(/ years).
>&)|fV&4 Similar gender differences in cataract prevalence were
k(_^Lq f- observed in both surveys (Table 3). Higher prevalence of
&}FWpo! cortical and nuclear cataract in women than men was evident
.wkW<F7 but the difference was only significant for cortical
uEyu s96 + cataract (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, for women 1.3,
l:sfM`Z^[ 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.1–1.5 in cross-section I
(^^}Ke{J and OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6 in cross-section II). In con-
v8K4u) Table 1: Participant characteristics.
/.:&9 c Characteristics Cross-section I Cross-section II
Y2(,E e2 n % n %
|7b@w;q,D Age (mean) (66.2) (66.7)
I6
[=tB 50–54 485 13.3 350 10.0
w,z m! 55–59 534 14.6 580 16.5
r1.OLn?C 60–64 638 17.5 600 17.1
c~ Q5A 65–69 671 18.4 639 18.2
Fj1'z5$ 70–74 538 14.7 572 16.3
3y*dBw 75–79 422 11.6 407 11.6
[k7 ;^A5/ 80–84 230 6.3 226 6.4
&u~%5; 85–89 100 2.7 110 3.1
XF99h&;9 90+ 36 1.0 24 0.7
+=(@=PJ6 Female 2072 56.7 1998 57.0
T0K*!j}O Ever Smokers 1784 51.2 1789 51.2
64f6D"." Use of inhaled steroids 370 10.94 478 13.8^
iayxN5, History of:
Vet<,;Te Diabetes 284 7.8 347 9.9^
`qa>6`\ Hypertension 1669 46.0 1825 52.2^
)!d_Td\- Emmetropia* 1558 42.9 1478 42.2
/4,U@s)"/ Myopia* 442 12.2 495 14.1^
Xh`Oin}< Hyperopia* 1633 45.0 1532 43.7
]0;,M n = number of persons affected
>~@ABLp6 * best spherical equivalent refraction correction
avxI%% | ^ P < 0.01
);fPir?+ BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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mH!\]fmR~ (page number not for citation purposes)
Rlx t
seNH/pRb rast, men had slightly higher PSC prevalence than women
)Tad]Hd"W in both cross-sections but the difference was not significant
txy'7t (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 for men in cross-section I
bk4G+wGw and OR 1.2, 95% 0.9–1.6 in cross-section II).
@{x+ln1r Discussion
YPS,[F'B. Findings from two surveys of BMES cross-sectional populations
r%^XOw<' with similar age and gender distribution showed
fh@/fd that the prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC remained
&A~(9IV stable, while the prevalence of nuclear cataract appeared
;($ 3,d8 to have increased. Comparison of age-specific prevalence,
Tg6nb7@P with totally independent samples within each age group,
vz'<i. Yv4 confirmed the robustness of our findings from the two
Oa-~}hN survey samples. Although lens photographs taken from
I}1<epd , the two surveys were graded for nuclear cataract by the
+
yIO same graders, who documented a high inter- and intragrader
ceNJXK reliability, we cannot exclude the possibility that
W[.UM variations in photography, performed by different photographers,
K@;
ls may have contributed to the observed difference
^HNccr in nuclear cataract prevalence. However, the overall
M@O<b- Table 2: Age-specific prevalence of cataract types in cross sections I and II.
\DRYqLT` Cataract type Age (years) Cross-section I Cross-section II
_CXXgF[OCA n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
yy$
7{9! Cortical 50–54 473 4.4 (2.6–6.3) 338 7.4 (4.6–10.2)
p?eQ
N
Y 55–59 522 9.2 (6.7–11.7) 542 9.0 (6.6–11.5)
ut;KphvSH 60–64 615 16.4 (13.5–19.4) 556 16.7 (13.6–19.8)
T|lyjX$Q]9 65–69 653 26.2 (22.8–29.6) 581 23.6 (20.1–27.0)
/A/k13 J 70–74 516 31.2 (27.2–35.2) 514 35.4 (31.3–39.6)
5}_DyoV 75–79 366 40.2 (35.1–45.2) 332 39.8 (34.5–45.1)
<D{_q.`vA 80–84 194 58.8 (51.8–65.8) 163 42.9 (35.3–50.6)
O8S"B6?$~' 85–89 74 52.7 (41.1–64.4) 73 54.8 (43.1–66.5)
0P6< 4 90+ 22 68.2 (47.0–89.3) 14 78.6 (54.0–103.2)
U2VnACCUZs PSC 50–54 474 2.7 (1.3–4.2) 338 2.4 (0.7–4.0)
&y=~:1&f 55–59 522 2.9 (1.4–4.3) 541 2.6 (1.3–3.9)
'Z(4Wuwb 60–64 616 4.6 (2.9–6.2) 548 5.7 (3.7–7.6)
7U {g'< 65–69 655 6.3 (4.4–8.1) 573 4.5 (2.8–6.3)
*ocbV` 70–74 517 6.8 (4.6–8.9) 505 9.7 (7.1–12.3)
"Crm\UI6 75–79 367 11.4 (8.2–14.7) 327 9.5 (6.3–12.7)
H&zhYKw
80–84 196 12.2 (7.6–16.9) 155 10.3 (5.5–15.2)
d ;W(Vm6 85–89 74 18.9 (9.8–28.1) 69 11.6 (3.9–19.4)
=1Mh%/y 90+ 23 21.7 (3.5–40.0) 11 0.0
A1,- qv1s Nuclear 50–54 323 1.6 (0.2–2.9) 331 0.9 (–0.2–1.9)
^zr]#`@G 55–59 386 2.3 (0.8–3.8) 507 3.6 (1.9–5.2)
U4@W{P02 60–64 453 5.3 (3.2–7.4) 501 11.6 (8.8–14.4)
W8
m*co 65–69 478 17.2 (13.8–20.1) 534 18.5 (15.2–21.9)
*FT )` 70–74 392 27.6 (23.1–32.0) 453 36.0 (31.6–40.4)
#7A_p8 75–79 255 45.1 (39.0–51.3) 302 55.6 (50.0–61.3)
X6dv+&=? 80–84 146 54.1 (45.9–62.3) 147 73.5 (66.3–80.7)
vc_ 5!K%[ 85–89 50 64.0 (50.2–77.8) 70 80.0 (70.4–89.6)
~y(-j[ 90+ 18 72.2 (49.3–95.1) 15 73.3 (48.0–98.7)
CS*wvn;. n = number of persons
E5<}7Pt * 95% Confidence Limits
H `V3oS~} Cataract FMioguunrtea i1n ps rEeyvea lSetnucdey in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
~D)!zQkD Cataract prevalence in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
oZV=vg5Dq Mountains Eye Study.
[J|)DUjt 0
lll]FJ1 10
XKU+'Tz 20
YpT x1c- 30
0UmK S\P
40
pCQB<6&1N 50
PL#8~e;' cortical PSC nuclear any
<}3c%Q1 cataract
wR?M2*ri Cataract type
IwIk;pB O %
AFWcTz6 #d Cross-section I
n7"e 79 Cross-section II
ai(<"|( BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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oVsj
Q (page number not for citation purposes)
Hut
au^l prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery) was
dF{3~0+, relatively stable over the 6-year period.
{6v
|d{V+e Although different population-based studies used different
:>$)Snqo=n grading systems to assess cataract [15], the overall
3,bA&c3 prevalence of the three cataract types were similar across
EdA_Hf different study populations [12,16-23]. Most studies have
M#J OX/ suggested that nuclear cataract is the most prevalent type
,@=qaU of cataract, followed by cortical cataract [16-20]. Ours and
UAT46 other studies reported that cortical cataract was the most
ei;wT prevalent type [12,21-23].
h'<}N Our age-specific prevalence data show a reduction of
U`JzE"ps] 15.9% in cortical cataract prevalence for the 80–84 year
0\g;^Zpi age group, concordant with an increase in cataract surgery
v#.FK:u} prevalence by 9% in those aged 80+ years observed in the
.Lo$uKsW$l same study population [10]. Although cortical cataract is
EH"iK2n\9 thought to be the least likely cataract type leading to a cataract
h:(Jes2 surgery, this may not be the case in all older persons.
]nN']?{7PW A relatively stable cortical cataract and PSC prevalence
:tM|$TZ over the 6-year period is expected. We cannot offer a
9U6y<X definitive explanation for the increase in nuclear cataract
cD8.rRyD prevalence. A possible explanation could be that a moderate
%4 cUa| =? level of nuclear cataract causes less visual disturbance
gh}FZs5P than the other two types of cataract, thus for the oldest age
]Ole#L
z}Q groups, persons with nuclear cataract could have been less
B8 -/C\ likely to have surgery unless it is very dense or co-existing
673v
with cortical cataract or PSC. Previous studies have shown
'g#Ml`cm that functional vision and reading performance were high
WUAjb,eo in patients undergoing cataract surgery who had nuclear
|Wj)kr !| cataract only compared to those with mixed type of cataract
N7%Jy?-+ (nuclear and cortical) or PSC [24,25]. In addition, the
jgYUS@} overall prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery)
<8!mmOK1 was similar in the two cross-sections, which appears
Jd&Qi)1 to support our speculation that in the oldest age group,
.%3bXK+F nuclear cataract may have been less likely to be operated
b`E0tZcJ than the other two types of cataract. This could have
z]Z>+| resulted in an increased nuclear cataract prevalence (due
s>~!r.GC to less being operated), compensated by the decreased
>
zh%CF$ prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC (due to these being
LcE!e%3 more likely to be operated), leading to stable overall prevalence
6=90 wu3 of any cataract.
Hm`9M.5b Possible selection bias arising from selective survival
c>!>D7:7 among persons without cataract could have led to underestimation
;_of' of cataract prevalence in both surveys. We
3kdTteyy
+ assume that such an underestimation occurred equally in
_z)G!_7.>\ both surveys, and thus should not have influenced our
EfcoJgX assessment of temporal changes.
ZBdZr Measurement error could also have partially contributed
hrNri$ to the observed difference in nuclear cataract prevalence.
E%3WJ%A Assessment of nuclear cataract from photographs is a
G!8O*4+A potentially subjective process that can be influenced by
W.-[ceM variations in photography (light exposure, focus and the
,@khV slit-lamp angle when the photograph was taken) and
X{9D fgW grading. Although we used the same Topcon slit-lamp
j S')!Wcu camera and the same two graders who graded photos
@m
Nf(& from both surveys, we are still not able to exclude the possibility
v~?d7p{ of a partial influence from photographic variation
>9F
s)R]P on this result.
k5$_Q# A similar gender difference (women having a higher rate
gZM\RJZ_ than men) in cortical cataract prevalence was observed in
Um4
} ` both surveys. Our findings are in keeping with observations
37v!:xF! from the Beaver Dam Eye Study [18], the Barbados
.2C}8GGC' Eye Study [22] and the Lens Opacities Case-Control
G=jdb@V/? Group [26]. It has been suggested that the difference
DCPK1ql could be related to hormonal factors [18,22]. A previous
"k)( , study on biochemical factors and cataract showed that a
I$n 0aR6 lower level of iron was associated with an increased risk of
6U @3
xU` cortical cataract [27]. No interaction between sex and biochemical
7;5?2)+=6 factors were detected and no gender difference
e/r
41 was assessed in this study [27]. The gender difference seen
oR[,?qu@f in cortical cataract could be related to relatively low iron
%q;3bfq@N levels and low hemoglobin concentration usually seen in
(i.MxGDd women [28]. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cortical
"
nq4! Table 3: Gender distribution of cataract types in cross-sections I and II.
Kg VLXI6 Cataract type Gender Cross-section I Cross-section II
f#
ID:Ap3 n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
d0Py[37V Cortical Male 1496 21.1 (19.0–23.1) 1328 20.4 (18.2–22.6)
/j0<x^m/ Female 1939 25.9 (23.9–27.8) 1785 26.2 (24.2–28.3)
al F*L PSC Male 1500 6.5 (5.2–7.7) 1314 6.4 (5.1–7.7)
6Hi3h{ Female 1944 6.2 (5.1–7.2) 1753 5.7 (4.6–6.7)
2IFri|;-eb Nuclear Male 1106 17.6 (15.4–19.9) 1225 22.5 (20.1–24.8)
8v8?D8\=| Female 1395 19.5 (17.4–21.6) 1635 25.0 (22.9–27.1)
4rO07)~l n = number of persons
JX7_/P * 95% Confidence Limits
TbXp%O:[W BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 Pz,kSxe= Page 6 of 7
T6=c9f?7 (page number not for citation purposes)
EFW'D=&h8 cataract but in this particular population diabetes is more
Y#{ L} prevalent in men than women in all age groups [29]. Differential
6H+gF
XIv exposures to cataract risk factors or different dietary
` {c %d or lifestyle patterns between men and women may
O]DZb+O" also be related to these observations and warrant further
VU J*
\Sg study.
\EuMzb"G9p Conclusion
e[$=5U~c In summary, in two population-based surveys 6 years
;vR0O apart, we have documented a relatively stable prevalence
Z
`sM
(?m of cortical cataract and PSC over the period. The observed
{f((x1{HZx overall increased nuclear cataract prevalence by 5% over a
o9(:m 6-year period needs confirmation by future studies, and
*IG} /O.VT reasons for such an increase deserve further study.
tV%:sk^d Competing interests
sMlY!3{Ix The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.
i+( k Authors' contributions
W&
#Ps6)
8 AGT graded the photographs, performed literature search
5,cq-` and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JJW graded the
l
tE` photographs, critically reviewed and modified the manuscript.
)D\!#<#h ER performed the statistical analysis and critically
62TWqQ!9d reviewed the manuscript. PM designed and directed the
pyhC%EZU study, adjudicated cataract cases and critically reviewed
V]dzKNFi and modified the manuscript. All authors read and
89e<,f`h approved the final manuscript.
[0<N[KZ) Acknowledgements
z2*>5c% This study was supported by the Australian National Health & Medical
@xIKYJyU Research Council, Canberra, Australia (Grant Nos 974159, 991407). The
m%hI@' abstract was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
8MqKS}\H (ARVO) meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 2005.
Y`
t-Bg!~ References
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k6.<