BioMed Central
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vk|f"I BMC Ophthalmology
07SW$INb Research article Open Access
q5r7KYH{ Comparison of age-specific cataract prevalence in two
"<|KR{/+ population-based surveys 6 years apart
\j!/l
f) Ava Grace Tan†, Jie Jin Wang*†, Elena Rochtchina† and Paul Mitchell†
,JI] Eij^ Address: Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital,
!r.-7hR $ Westmead, NSW, Australia
,]\cf Email: Ava Grace Tan -
ava_tan@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Jie Jin Wang* -
jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au;
o.r D Elena Rochtchina -
elena_rochtchina@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Paul Mitchell -
paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au ,W+=N"`a' * Corresponding author †Equal contributors
gwIR3u Abstract
^}2!fRKAmo Background: In this study, we aimed to compare age-specific cortical, nuclear and posterior
zq+2@"q subcapsular (PSC) cataract prevalence in two surveys 6 years apart.
KRGj6g+ Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 participants (82.4% of those eligible) in
Ag T)J cross-section I (1992–4) and 3509 participants (75.1% of survivors and 85.2% of newly eligible) in
hfJ&o7Dt cross-section II (1997–2000, 66.5% overlap with cross-section I). Cataract was assessed from lens
ag8)^p'9 photographs following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Cortical cataract was defined if
i5(qJ/u cortical opacity comprised ≥ 5% of lens area. Nuclear cataract was defined if nuclear opacity ≥
7>
im2"zm Wisconsin standard 4. PSC was defined if any present. Any cataract was defined to include persons
m^BXLG:b who had previous cataract surgery. Weighted kappa for inter-grader reliability was 0.82, 0.55 and
sh,4n{+ 0.82 for cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract, respectively. We assessed age-specific prevalence using
>lmqPuf an interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age group were independent between the
FnVW%fh two surveys.
c^"4l
9w Results: Age and gender distributions were similar between the two populations. The age-specific
851BOkRal4 prevalence of cortical (23.8% in 1st, 23.7% in 2nd) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 6.0%) was similar. The
WyV,(~y prevalence of nuclear cataract increased slightly from 18.7% to 23.9%. After age standardization,
F%zMhX'AG the similar prevalence of cortical (23.8%, 23.5%) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 5.9%), and the increased
IA}vN3 prevalence of nuclear cataract (18.7%, 24.2%) remained.
6VQQI9 Conclusion: In two surveys of two population-based samples with similar age and gender
@Wd(>*"zw distributions, we found a relatively stable cortical and PSC cataract prevalence over a 6-year period.
Uth+4Aq The increased prevalence of nuclear cataract deserves further study.
>~7XBb08 Background
h('5x,G% Age-related cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual
3qGz(6w6E impairment in older persons [1-6]. In Australia, it is
?.ObHV*k estimated that by the year 2021, the number of people
XRM/d5 affected by cataract will increase by 63%, due to population
G \a`F'Oo aging [7]. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment
|H8C4^1Rq for cataract and normal vision (> 20/40) can usually
VWd`06'BN' be restored with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
#N`MzmwS Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is currently the
KN@ [hb
7% most commonly performed, and is, arguably, the most
rpEIDhHv cost effective surgical procedure worldwide. Performance
G]xYQ]
Published: 20 April 2006
?$I9/r BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2415-6-17
a{^2c! Received: 14 December 2005
WJ8osWdLu Accepted: 20 April 2006
e7n0=U0 This article is available from:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 ?t}s3P!Q3w © 2006 Tan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
B(FM~TVZ This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
_ZJQE>]nWu which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
p4\sKF8- BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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q|klsup of this surgical procedure has been continuously increasing
'lEIwJV$ in the last two decades. Data from the Australian
?|NsaW Health Insurance Commission has shown a steady
[SKDsJRPP increase in Medicare claims for cataract surgery [8]. A 2.6-
u46Z}~xf b fold increase in the total number of cataract procedures
ze
LIOw from 1985 to 1994 has been documented in Australia [9].
mJ[_q> The rate of cataract surgery per thousand persons aged 65
U![$7k>,pr years or older has doubled in the last 20 years [8,9]. In the
WcXNc`x Blue Mountains Eye Study population, we observed a onethird
V2;Nv\J\ increase in cataract surgery prevalence over a mean
gDw(_KC 6-year interval, from 6% to nearly 8% in two cross-sectional
-)&lsFF population-based samples with a similar age range
]
fA5D)/m< [10]. Further increases in cataract surgery performance
zLxuxf~4@ would be expected as a result of improved surgical skills
cJSwA&
and technique, together with extending cataract surgical
?J+*i
d benefits to a greater number of older people and an
s/3sOb}sA increased number of persons with surgery performed on
!K= $Q Uq both eyes.
vy7?]}MvV Both the prevalence and incidence of age-related cataract
&liFUP?
link directly to the demand for, and the outcome of, cataract
c8_,S[W surgery and eye health care provision. This report
wpNb/U aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of cortical
%Zfh6Bl\X and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract
!6#.%"{- (PSC) in two cross-sectional population-based
)\W}&9 > surveys 6 years apart.
U(~Nmo' Methods
i
gnOF The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a populationbased
3+C;zDKa cohort study of common eye diseases and other
n(n7"+B health outcomes. The study involved eligible permanent
"79b> residents aged 49 years and older, living in two postcode
:2b*E`+ areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
wk=s3^ Participants were identified through a census and were
X
Cez5Q1 invited to participate. The study was approved at each
R$it`0D4o stage of the data collection by the Human Ethics Committees
]r#NjP of the University of Sydney and the Western Sydney
:4\_upRE Area Health Service and adhered to the recommendations
h-m0Ro?6 of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent
a6d|Ps.\! was obtained from each participant.
p-z!i +
Details of the methods used in this study have been
Idj
Z2)$
described previously [11]. The baseline examinations
f8f|'v| (BMES cross-section I) were conducted during 1992–
XNBzA3W 1994 and included 3654 (82.4%) of 4433 eligible residents.
+\vN#xDz Follow-up examinations (BMES IIA) were conducted
ZS&lXgo during 1997–1999, with 2335 (75.0% of BMES
IJ{VCzi cross section I survivors) participating. A repeat census of
R^K:hKQ the same area was performed in 1999 and identified 1378
zHW
&i~ newly eligible residents who moved into the area or the
/sSif0I24 eligible age group. During 1999–2000, 1174 (85.2%) of
0.wN&:I8t this group participated in an extension study (BMES IIB).
{#+'T 13sx BMES cross-section II thus includes BMES IIA (66.5%)
8nSw7:z and BMES IIB (33.5%) participants (n = 3509).
PJh97%7 Similar procedures were used for all stages of data collection
hg `N`O at both surveys. A questionnaire was administered
>k2^A including demographic, family and medical history. A
'f.5hX(Y detailed eye examination included subjective refraction,
<9Ytv|t@0 slit-lamp (Topcon SL-7e camera, Topcon Optical Co,
!Ome;gS) Tokyo, Japan) and retroillumination (Neitz CT-R camera,
q(5 Neitz Instrument Co, Tokyo, Japan) photography of the
ZgzYXh2 lens. Grading of lens photographs in the BMES has been
ZB,UQ~!Yr previously described [12]. Briefly, masked grading was
A+hT2Ew@t} performed on the lens photographs using the Wisconsin
6 c-9[-Px Cataract Grading System [13]. Cortical cataract and PSC
WjBtL52 were assessed from the retroillumination photographs by
MIc(B_q estimating the percentage of the circular grid involved.
8w3Wy<}y Cortical cataract was defined when cortical opacity
t`x_@pr involved at least 5% of the total lens area. PSC was defined
M[&p[
P@ when opacity comprised at least 1% of the total lens area.
x=44ITe1n[ Slit-lamp photographs were used to assess nuclear cataract
p?+;[!: using the Wisconsin standard set of four lens photographs
Olq`mlsK [13]. Nuclear cataract was defined when nuclear opacity
M3q7{w*bM was at least as great as the standard 4 photograph. Any cataract
,,Vuvn was defined to include persons who had previous
m^a0JR}u9 cataract surgery as well as those with any of three cataract
&_Gu'A({J types. Inter-grader reliability was high, with weighted
@<p9O0 kappa 0.82 for cortical cataract, 0.55 (simple kappa 0.75)
J2$=H1- for nuclear cataract and 0.82 for PSC grading. The intragrader
7FP
@ v ng reliability for nuclear cataract was assessed with
JU-eoB}m simple kappa 0.83 for the senior grader who graded
+
oN
rc. nuclear cataract at both surveys. All PSC cases were confirmed
vP/sG5$x by an ophthalmologist (PM).
El3Ayd3 In cross-section I, 219 persons (6.0%) had missing or
/C[XC7^4' ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3435 with photographs
:J6FI6 available for cortical cataract and PSC assessment,
`qr.@0whP while 1153 (31.6%) had randomly missing or ungradable
!Y]%U @4} Topcon photographs due to a camera malfunction, leaving
#4?:4Im# 2501 with photographs available for nuclear cataract
ltXGm)+ assessment. Comparison of characteristics between participants
6)#%36rP with and without Neitz or Topcon photographs in
3-
4jSN\ cross-section I showed no statistically significant differences
^p #bxN") between the two groups, as reported previously
aW$))J)0 [12]. In cross-section II, 441 persons (12.5%) had missing
C~VyM1inD or ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3068 for cortical
~2?U
Ev6 cataract and PSC assessment, and 648 (18.5%) had
4S,/Z{ J. missing or ungradable Topcon photographs, leaving 2860
^NOy:> for nuclear cataract assessment.
F[U0TP@&* Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis
$*dY f System (SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Age-adjusted
kpO+ prevalence was calculated using direct standardization of
Dlu]4n[LB the cross-section II population to the cross-section I population.
\b|Q `)TK We assessed age-specific prevalence using an
.1?7)k
v interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age
B?<Z
(d7 group were independent between the two cross-sectional
.aqP= surveys.
?VT
]bxb BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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>{kPa| (page number not for citation purposes)
|oJ R+
Results
Y@M
l}43 Characteristics of the two survey populations have been
} T<oLvS previously compared [14] and showed that age and sex
O\qY?)
distributions were similar. Table 1 compares participant
nXF|AeAco characteristics between the two cross-sections. Cross-section
)v?-[
oR II participants generally had higher rates of diabetes,
Oe%jV,S |V hypertension, myopia and more users of inhaled steroids.
Qz?r4kR Cataract prevalence rates in cross-sections I and II are
jF%[.n[BU shown in Figure 1. The overall prevalence of cortical cataract
M4TFWOC1 was 23.8% and 23.7% in cross-sections I and II,
eFeWjB'<7 respectively (age-sex adjusted P = 0.81). Corresponding
jo8;S?+<|? prevalence of PSC was 6.3% and 6.0% for the two crosssections
k/ ZuFTN (age-sex adjusted P = 0.60). There was an
-a$7b;gF increased prevalence of nuclear cataract, from 18.7% in
Nd4!:. cross-section I to 23.9% in cross-section II over the 6-year
(">gLr period (age-sex adjusted P < 0.001). Prevalence of any cataract
g$ oe00b (including persons who had cataract surgery), however,
IW'2+EGc was relatively stable (46.9% and 46.8% in crosssections
.8%mi'0ud I and II, respectively).
}X`jhsqT After age-standardization, these prevalence rates remained
Z"fnjH stable for cortical cataract (23.8% and 23.5% in the two
:Gz# 4k surveys) and PSC (6.3% and 5.9%). The slightly increased
:{v:sK prevalence of nuclear cataract (from 18.7% to 24.2%) was
~xg1mS9d not altered.
X;ZR"YgT Table 2 shows the age-specific prevalence rates for cortical
1Bz'$u;
cataract, PSC and nuclear cataract in cross-sections I and
7^J-5lY3S II. A similar trend of increasing cataract prevalence with
zAxwM-` increasing age was evident for all three types of cataract in
k'BLos
1W both surveys. Comparing the age-specific prevalence
ya'@AJS between the two surveys, a reduction in PSC prevalence in
D n?P~% cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥ 75
M#qZ0JT4 years). In contrast, increased nuclear cataract prevalence
;6} *0V_!k in cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥
G'z&U?Ng 70 years). Age-specific cortical cataract prevalence was relatively
N+?kFob consistent between the two surveys, except for a
OZ q/'* reduction in prevalence observed in the 80–84 age group
{=,?]Z+ and an increasing prevalence in the older age groups (≥ 85
15r<n years).
!o 7uZC\ Similar gender differences in cataract prevalence were
eP3)8QC observed in both surveys (Table 3). Higher prevalence of
NdQXQa?, cortical and nuclear cataract in women than men was evident
4\?I4|{pC but the difference was only significant for cortical
*4^!e/ cataract (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, for women 1.3,
%xR;8IO 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.1–1.5 in cross-section I
u+zq:2)H6 and OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6 in cross-section II). In con-
h.QKbbDj Table 1: Participant characteristics.
~S
R:,R Characteristics Cross-section I Cross-section II
0X)'8N n % n %
SF;;4og Age (mean) (66.2) (66.7)
'W$jHs 50–54 485 13.3 350 10.0
)4a&OlEI 55–59 534 14.6 580 16.5
<9/oqp{C
4 60–64 638 17.5 600 17.1
HqU"iY>b 65–69 671 18.4 639 18.2
^G#=>&, 70–74 538 14.7 572 16.3
/+J?Ep(_ 75–79 422 11.6 407 11.6
a7q-*%+d5 80–84 230 6.3 226 6.4
2u6N';jgZ 85–89 100 2.7 110 3.1
Xt8;Pl 90+ 36 1.0 24 0.7
$;+B)# Female 2072 56.7 1998 57.0
ag?@5q3J} Ever Smokers 1784 51.2 1789 51.2
^?toTU Use of inhaled steroids 370 10.94 478 13.8^
&tQ,2RT History of:
OR( )D~:n Diabetes 284 7.8 347 9.9^
(XRj##G{ Hypertension 1669 46.0 1825 52.2^
Os8]iNvW\ Emmetropia* 1558 42.9 1478 42.2
*`);_EVc Myopia* 442 12.2 495 14.1^
9))%tYN Hyperopia* 1633 45.0 1532 43.7
VPn#O n = number of persons affected
X&M4c5Li * best spherical equivalent refraction correction
_ZD)#? ^ P < 0.01
/43DR;4 BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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jL%
-G (page number not for citation purposes)
5]p>&|Ud t
>}O1lsjW:z rast, men had slightly higher PSC prevalence than women
0V}vVAa(B in both cross-sections but the difference was not significant
tJ.LPgfZ (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 for men in cross-section I
O\]CfzR and OR 1.2, 95% 0.9–1.6 in cross-section II).
%MbjKw Discussion
w*#k&N[X Findings from two surveys of BMES cross-sectional populations
52l| with similar age and gender distribution showed
?8! 4!P%n that the prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC remained
*-_` xe stable, while the prevalence of nuclear cataract appeared
1uMnlimr to have increased. Comparison of age-specific prevalence,
i
n#qV with totally independent samples within each age group,
eiP>?8 confirmed the robustness of our findings from the two
n?Gm 5## survey samples. Although lens photographs taken from
=#T6,[5
the two surveys were graded for nuclear cataract by the
gA2\c5F< same graders, who documented a high inter- and intragrader
2d<ma*2n( reliability, we cannot exclude the possibility that
'$1-A%e$1 variations in photography, performed by different photographers,
&E {/s may have contributed to the observed difference
i]hFiX in nuclear cataract prevalence. However, the overall
#5G!lbH Table 2: Age-specific prevalence of cataract types in cross sections I and II.
l+R-lsj Cataract type Age (years) Cross-section I Cross-section II
LL9Mty, n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
G0> 'H1 Z Cortical 50–54 473 4.4 (2.6–6.3) 338 7.4 (4.6–10.2)
NqhRJa63 55–59 522 9.2 (6.7–11.7) 542 9.0 (6.6–11.5)
c0!bn b 60–64 615 16.4 (13.5–19.4) 556 16.7 (13.6–19.8)
>?U(w< 65–69 653 26.2 (22.8–29.6) 581 23.6 (20.1–27.0)
,a^_
~(C 70–74 516 31.2 (27.2–35.2) 514 35.4 (31.3–39.6)
RU_=VB % 75–79 366 40.2 (35.1–45.2) 332 39.8 (34.5–45.1)
CXCU5- 80–84 194 58.8 (51.8–65.8) 163 42.9 (35.3–50.6)
}Ax$}# 85–89 74 52.7 (41.1–64.4) 73 54.8 (43.1–66.5)
OX|/yw8 90+ 22 68.2 (47.0–89.3) 14 78.6 (54.0–103.2)
v[m/>l2[P PSC 50–54 474 2.7 (1.3–4.2) 338 2.4 (0.7–4.0)
n8zUL1:R 55–59 522 2.9 (1.4–4.3) 541 2.6 (1.3–3.9)
^x4,}'( 60–64 616 4.6 (2.9–6.2) 548 5.7 (3.7–7.6)
f_D1zU^ 65–69 655 6.3 (4.4–8.1) 573 4.5 (2.8–6.3)
(X>r_4W$ 70–74 517 6.8 (4.6–8.9) 505 9.7 (7.1–12.3)
4"l(rg 75–79 367 11.4 (8.2–14.7) 327 9.5 (6.3–12.7)
0Lc X7gU> 80–84 196 12.2 (7.6–16.9) 155 10.3 (5.5–15.2)
zFB$^)v"< 85–89 74 18.9 (9.8–28.1) 69 11.6 (3.9–19.4)
1__p1 90+ 23 21.7 (3.5–40.0) 11 0.0
En5I Nuclear 50–54 323 1.6 (0.2–2.9) 331 0.9 (–0.2–1.9)
O_F<VV*MFQ 55–59 386 2.3 (0.8–3.8) 507 3.6 (1.9–5.2)
wAk oX 60–64 453 5.3 (3.2–7.4) 501 11.6 (8.8–14.4)
=\:YNP/ 65–69 478 17.2 (13.8–20.1) 534 18.5 (15.2–21.9)
.~W7{SY[ 70–74 392 27.6 (23.1–32.0) 453 36.0 (31.6–40.4)
20% xD e 75–79 255 45.1 (39.0–51.3) 302 55.6 (50.0–61.3)
"5K
x]y8 80–84 146 54.1 (45.9–62.3) 147 73.5 (66.3–80.7)
+` Em& 85–89 50 64.0 (50.2–77.8) 70 80.0 (70.4–89.6)
rf)\:
75 90+ 18 72.2 (49.3–95.1) 15 73.3 (48.0–98.7)
n]9y Cr n = number of persons
;z
Sh9H * 95% Confidence Limits
H1hj` '\"< Cataract FMioguunrtea i1n ps rEeyvea lSetnucdey in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
\8_&@uLm Cataract prevalence in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
]MUuz'< Mountains Eye Study.
?"qU.}kGL 0
/:U\U_j 10
G9Xrwk<g4 20
d['BtVJ 30
/7P4[~vw 40
ajkRL|^ 50
n6L}#aZG cortical PSC nuclear any
h7*fjw-Xz[ cataract
D}\%
Q # Cataract type
#{ `(;83 %
6PvV X
*5T Cross-section I
K-p1v!IC Cross-section II
zbi[r BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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Qy@chN{eP (page number not for citation purposes)
lm]4zs /A prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery) was
/p X\)wi relatively stable over the 6-year period.
sl/# 1B Although different population-based studies used different
XQlK}AK grading systems to assess cataract [15], the overall
bnUd !/; prevalence of the three cataract types were similar across
R:i7Rb2C different study populations [12,16-23]. Most studies have
'>2xP<ct!& suggested that nuclear cataract is the most prevalent type
/lAt&0 of cataract, followed by cortical cataract [16-20]. Ours and
]hL 1qS other studies reported that cortical cataract was the most
yWt87+%T prevalent type [12,21-23].
XP6R$0yN Our age-specific prevalence data show a reduction of
K.b-8NIUW 15.9% in cortical cataract prevalence for the 80–84 year
DghX(rs_ age group, concordant with an increase in cataract surgery
W
x;9N prevalence by 9% in those aged 80+ years observed in the
>9Ub=tZm same study population [10]. Although cortical cataract is
VEo>uR thought to be the least likely cataract type leading to a cataract
wdl6dLu surgery, this may not be the case in all older persons.
2-]gHAw% A relatively stable cortical cataract and PSC prevalence
q=UKL`;C}U over the 6-year period is expected. We cannot offer a
@x"vGYKd definitive explanation for the increase in nuclear cataract
$&k zix prevalence. A possible explanation could be that a moderate
:eei<cn2 level of nuclear cataract causes less visual disturbance
1&Nk than the other two types of cataract, thus for the oldest age
_@jl9<t=_ groups, persons with nuclear cataract could have been less
8Z F Ps/HP likely to have surgery unless it is very dense or co-existing
2+
>.Z.pX with cortical cataract or PSC. Previous studies have shown
jJ|u!a that functional vision and reading performance were high
VX2bC(E'% in patients undergoing cataract surgery who had nuclear
yhgHwES" cataract only compared to those with mixed type of cataract
5pE[}@-c9 (nuclear and cortical) or PSC [24,25]. In addition, the
sAC1Pda overall prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery)
) dwPD was similar in the two cross-sections, which appears
Lt|k}p@] to support our speculation that in the oldest age group,
c i_XcG nuclear cataract may have been less likely to be operated
V5qvH"^ than the other two types of cataract. This could have
H_vOZ0 resulted in an increased nuclear cataract prevalence (due
rsOon2| to less being operated), compensated by the decreased
=>4>Z_q prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC (due to these being
M2
%<4(UwI more likely to be operated), leading to stable overall prevalence
E/
Eny5 of any cataract.
-:*PXu Possible selection bias arising from selective survival
|Tf}8e among persons without cataract could have led to underestimation
=36vsps= of cataract prevalence in both surveys. We
9%>H}7= assume that such an underestimation occurred equally in
o5i?|HJ both surveys, and thus should not have influenced our
3yZtyXRPn assessment of temporal changes.
~EpMO]I Measurement error could also have partially contributed
5i83(>p3]e to the observed difference in nuclear cataract prevalence.
~}$:iyJV(> Assessment of nuclear cataract from photographs is a
}\OLBg/ potentially subjective process that can be influenced by
ORp6
variations in photography (light exposure, focus and the
.G?7t6A slit-lamp angle when the photograph was taken) and
Pb+oV grading. Although we used the same Topcon slit-lamp
J<>z}L{ camera and the same two graders who graded photos
LV4x9?& from both surveys, we are still not able to exclude the possibility
8Rc4+g of a partial influence from photographic variation
iG6 ^s62z7 on this result.
L7wl3zG A similar gender difference (women having a higher rate
~;Ss)d than men) in cortical cataract prevalence was observed in
#f
zvK+ both surveys. Our findings are in keeping with observations
QKE$>G
from the Beaver Dam Eye Study [18], the Barbados
|hiYV Eye Study [22] and the Lens Opacities Case-Control
h"
P4 Group [26]. It has been suggested that the difference
HJ !)D~M{ could be related to hormonal factors [18,22]. A previous
B[S.6"/H study on biochemical factors and cataract showed that a
r*0a43mC1 lower level of iron was associated with an increased risk of
g4oFUyk{ cortical cataract [27]. No interaction between sex and biochemical
%+Z0$Q
factors were detected and no gender difference
UH%oGp$ykX was assessed in this study [27]. The gender difference seen
\-#~)LB
]M in cortical cataract could be related to relatively low iron
]6pxd \Q levels and low hemoglobin concentration usually seen in
0{BPT>' women [28]. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cortical
DcQ^V4_ Table 3: Gender distribution of cataract types in cross-sections I and II.
\Y
Cj/tG8 Cataract type Gender Cross-section I Cross-section II
I{_St8 n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
LJc
w-> Cortical Male 1496 21.1 (19.0–23.1) 1328 20.4 (18.2–22.6)
p27A#Uu2} Female 1939 25.9 (23.9–27.8) 1785 26.2 (24.2–28.3)
m{JiF-=u PSC Male 1500 6.5 (5.2–7.7) 1314 6.4 (5.1–7.7)
mB"zyL- Female 1944 6.2 (5.1–7.2) 1753 5.7 (4.6–6.7)
QTz{ZNi! Nuclear Male 1106 17.6 (15.4–19.9) 1225 22.5 (20.1–24.8)
JAC W#'4hV Female 1395 19.5 (17.4–21.6) 1635 25.0 (22.9–27.1)
ngsax1xO n = number of persons
(|'w$ * 95% Confidence Limits
8!VjXj" BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 dsR{
P,! Page 6 of 7
p? iJ'K (page number not for citation purposes)
;wL* cataract but in this particular population diabetes is more
j /)cdP prevalent in men than women in all age groups [29]. Differential
HoH3.AY X exposures to cataract risk factors or different dietary
6
N~ jt or lifestyle patterns between men and women may
8kW9.
also be related to these observations and warrant further
@!0j)5% study.
pcur6:8W! Conclusion
D'fP2?3FK In summary, in two population-based surveys 6 years
@T;O^rE~N apart, we have documented a relatively stable prevalence
sx*1D9s_ of cortical cataract and PSC over the period. The observed
2mu~hJ overall increased nuclear cataract prevalence by 5% over a
])m",8d&T 6-year period needs confirmation by future studies, and
e&;c^Z reasons for such an increase deserve further study.
)tFFa*Z' Competing interests
S~(4q#Dt- The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.
"{z9 L+ Authors' contributions
j@GMZz< AGT graded the photographs, performed literature search
&\<RVE and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JJW graded the
R&ou4Y:DG photographs, critically reviewed and modified the manuscript.
rt^z#2$ ER performed the statistical analysis and critically
Gk[P-%%b / reviewed the manuscript. PM designed and directed the
P2`ks[u+i study, adjudicated cataract cases and critically reviewed
}s}9@kl;& and modified the manuscript. All authors read and
>x2T' approved the final manuscript.
,Yi =s;E Acknowledgements
:6HMb^4 This study was supported by the Australian National Health & Medical
;Jx ^ Research Council, Canberra, Australia (Grant Nos 974159, 991407). The
]\#RsVX abstract was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
]"/ *7NM (ARVO) meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 2005.
{GHGFi`Z References
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