BioMed Central
lg(*:To3B Page 1 of 7
<Kq4thR (page number not for citation purposes)
Y@+e)p{ BMC Ophthalmology
/;[Zw8K7 Research article Open Access
k7 0o=} Comparison of age-specific cataract prevalence in two
"|\G[xLOaW population-based surveys 6 years apart
xjplJ'jB Ava Grace Tan†, Jie Jin Wang*†, Elena Rochtchina† and Paul Mitchell†
{} #W~1` Address: Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital,
G/w&yd4 Westmead, NSW, Australia
I`~ofq?r Email: Ava Grace Tan -
ava_tan@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Jie Jin Wang* -
jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au;
4]VoIUIuN Elena Rochtchina -
elena_rochtchina@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Paul Mitchell -
paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au CflGj0oy8 * Corresponding author †Equal contributors
C`uZr k/ Abstract
O!3MXmaO Background: In this study, we aimed to compare age-specific cortical, nuclear and posterior
Td7=La0
subcapsular (PSC) cataract prevalence in two surveys 6 years apart.
+8rGStv Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 participants (82.4% of those eligible) in
0&YW#L|J cross-section I (1992–4) and 3509 participants (75.1% of survivors and 85.2% of newly eligible) in
?dJ[?<aG cross-section II (1997–2000, 66.5% overlap with cross-section I). Cataract was assessed from lens
^RS?y8 photographs following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Cortical cataract was defined if
tqnvC
UIE cortical opacity comprised ≥ 5% of lens area. Nuclear cataract was defined if nuclear opacity ≥
U^ecg{ Wisconsin standard 4. PSC was defined if any present. Any cataract was defined to include persons
Jvk!a~e who had previous cataract surgery. Weighted kappa for inter-grader reliability was 0.82, 0.55 and
Jj_ t0" 0.82 for cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract, respectively. We assessed age-specific prevalence using
.+;;-]}) an interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age group were independent between the
jO|D
#nC two surveys.
4H<@da} Results: Age and gender distributions were similar between the two populations. The age-specific
HI`
q!LPv prevalence of cortical (23.8% in 1st, 23.7% in 2nd) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 6.0%) was similar. The
CSUXa8u7 prevalence of nuclear cataract increased slightly from 18.7% to 23.9%. After age standardization,
+/bT4TkML the similar prevalence of cortical (23.8%, 23.5%) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 5.9%), and the increased
^1#"FU2cP prevalence of nuclear cataract (18.7%, 24.2%) remained.
~HW}Wik Conclusion: In two surveys of two population-based samples with similar age and gender
Gk!06 distributions, we found a relatively stable cortical and PSC cataract prevalence over a 6-year period.
Au-_6d
T The increased prevalence of nuclear cataract deserves further study.
|>/T*zk< Background
$jpAnZR- / Age-related cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual
lK}W%hzU impairment in older persons [1-6]. In Australia, it is
V Z#@7t estimated that by the year 2021, the number of people
*J ]2"~_. affected by cataract will increase by 63%, due to population
8PR1RCJ aging [7]. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment
{Q%"{h'] for cataract and normal vision (> 20/40) can usually
BIBBp=+ be restored with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
h{J=Rq Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is currently the
^}F @*A;o most commonly performed, and is, arguably, the most
ceW,A
`J cost effective surgical procedure worldwide. Performance
W)RCo}f Published: 20 April 2006
zqDG#}3f^ BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2415-6-17
da'7*
&/ Received: 14 December 2005
M%\=Fb Accepted: 20 April 2006
A6 D@#(D This article is available from:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 y<Z-f. © 2006 Tan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
`4@
_Y< This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
e>OYJd0s which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
j06Xz\c BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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hd (page number not for citation purposes)
^:(:P9h of this surgical procedure has been continuously increasing
B!;qz[]I in the last two decades. Data from the Australian
}Q=@$YIesD Health Insurance Commission has shown a steady
zUe)f~4 increase in Medicare claims for cataract surgery [8]. A 2.6-
viLK\>> fold increase in the total number of cataract procedures
A `H&"A from 1985 to 1994 has been documented in Australia [9].
o#X=1us The rate of cataract surgery per thousand persons aged 65
EYsf<8cl years or older has doubled in the last 20 years [8,9]. In the
gvoo1 Sa Blue Mountains Eye Study population, we observed a onethird
K4H U9! increase in cataract surgery prevalence over a mean
f`[gRcZ- 6-year interval, from 6% to nearly 8% in two cross-sectional
XW^Sw;[efZ population-based samples with a similar age range
_(TYR* [10]. Further increases in cataract surgery performance
!6d6b@Mv would be expected as a result of improved surgical skills
Q)H1\ and technique, together with extending cataract surgical
|, Lp1 benefits to a greater number of older people and an
#Fl5]> | increased number of persons with surgery performed on
NY& |:F both eyes.
<f')
] Both the prevalence and incidence of age-related cataract
WN_i-A1G/h link directly to the demand for, and the outcome of, cataract
DM73
Nn^5 surgery and eye health care provision. This report
S>'S4MJE` aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of cortical
\N?,6;%xB and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract
8%Wg;:DZx (PSC) in two cross-sectional population-based
B F,rZZL surveys 6 years apart.
*/kX|Sur Methods
#h
Np1y2 The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a populationbased
rl<!h5 cohort study of common eye diseases and other
p-6(>,+E[ health outcomes. The study involved eligible permanent
,IODV`L residents aged 49 years and older, living in two postcode
nCj_4,O areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
H/eyc` Participants were identified through a census and were
Dn}Wsd= invited to participate. The study was approved at each
-9.Rmv#og{ stage of the data collection by the Human Ethics Committees
@aA1=9-L
of the University of Sydney and the Western Sydney
g.cD3N Area Health Service and adhered to the recommendations
lF=l|.c of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent
]{[8$|Mg was obtained from each participant.
vfh0aW-O Details of the methods used in this study have been
{O"?_6', described previously [11]. The baseline examinations
y[}O( (BMES cross-section I) were conducted during 1992–
Fe
4QWB6\U 1994 and included 3654 (82.4%) of 4433 eligible residents.
V?k"BU Follow-up examinations (BMES IIA) were conducted
V<#E!MG during 1997–1999, with 2335 (75.0% of BMES
ic"n*SZa cross section I survivors) participating. A repeat census of
)>! IY Q the same area was performed in 1999 and identified 1378
L?@TF; newly eligible residents who moved into the area or the
a-`OE" eligible age group. During 1999–2000, 1174 (85.2%) of
Wgh4DhAW this group participated in an extension study (BMES IIB).
9}4EW4
BMES cross-section II thus includes BMES IIA (66.5%)
rQncW~ and BMES IIB (33.5%) participants (n = 3509).
H& #Od? Similar procedures were used for all stages of data collection
$ljgFmR_ at both surveys. A questionnaire was administered
HzO6hb{jJO including demographic, family and medical history. A
:qx>P_&y}z detailed eye examination included subjective refraction,
kXj%thDx slit-lamp (Topcon SL-7e camera, Topcon Optical Co,
dh7PpuN{ Tokyo, Japan) and retroillumination (Neitz CT-R camera,
&M)S~Hb^ Neitz Instrument Co, Tokyo, Japan) photography of the
!lSxBr[dQ lens. Grading of lens photographs in the BMES has been
$RQ7rL3g{ previously described [12]. Briefly, masked grading was
u@`)u# performed on the lens photographs using the Wisconsin
J,s)Fu\j@ Cataract Grading System [13]. Cortical cataract and PSC
q2I;Ly\3o were assessed from the retroillumination photographs by
(8!#<$ estimating the percentage of the circular grid involved.
eQk ~YA]K Cortical cataract was defined when cortical opacity
7]_lSYwrb involved at least 5% of the total lens area. PSC was defined
qAH@)}
when opacity comprised at least 1% of the total lens area.
;Yrg4/Ipa Slit-lamp photographs were used to assess nuclear cataract
mm3goIi;Y using the Wisconsin standard set of four lens photographs
S7Xr~5>X [13]. Nuclear cataract was defined when nuclear opacity
vqLC?{i+ was at least as great as the standard 4 photograph. Any cataract
p}KZ#"Q
was defined to include persons who had previous
t)o #!)| cataract surgery as well as those with any of three cataract
]MkZ1~f7 types. Inter-grader reliability was high, with weighted
1#AdEd[ kappa 0.82 for cortical cataract, 0.55 (simple kappa 0.75)
9=&e5Oq} for nuclear cataract and 0.82 for PSC grading. The intragrader
YJw 9 d] reliability for nuclear cataract was assessed with
S;$@?vF simple kappa 0.83 for the senior grader who graded
4C(v BKl nuclear cataract at both surveys. All PSC cases were confirmed
dbkccO}WB by an ophthalmologist (PM).
0&U,WA In cross-section I, 219 persons (6.0%) had missing or
G7k0P-r,0 ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3435 with photographs
c=l
3Sz?
available for cortical cataract and PSC assessment,
j380=?7 while 1153 (31.6%) had randomly missing or ungradable
BRP
9j
y Topcon photographs due to a camera malfunction, leaving
pN<wO1\9 2501 with photographs available for nuclear cataract
/)SwQgK# assessment. Comparison of characteristics between participants
WYTeu " with and without Neitz or Topcon photographs in
A~Eu_m cross-section I showed no statistically significant differences
~V?O%1)k?\ between the two groups, as reported previously
kZ+nL)YQ# [12]. In cross-section II, 441 persons (12.5%) had missing
o#{D;' or ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3068 for cortical
-@%*~^~z' cataract and PSC assessment, and 648 (18.5%) had
zIWw055W missing or ungradable Topcon photographs, leaving 2860
#Nxk3He]8 for nuclear cataract assessment.
(yE?)
s Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis
ykSn=0 System (SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Age-adjusted
h&J6 prevalence was calculated using direct standardization of
k
oo`JHC the cross-section II population to the cross-section I population.
4VPL
-":6 We assessed age-specific prevalence using an
I#Ay)+D interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age
%'j)~ group were independent between the two cross-sectional
s;q]:+#7g surveys.
(,P
O( BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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} ab@Nd$ (page number not for citation purposes)
Lm\N` Results
XF(I$Mxl6 Characteristics of the two survey populations have been
Nh~ Hh( previously compared [14] and showed that age and sex
-;'8#"{`^ distributions were similar. Table 1 compares participant
A] pLq` characteristics between the two cross-sections. Cross-section
"K`B'/08^ II participants generally had higher rates of diabetes,
," hypertension, myopia and more users of inhaled steroids.
$ x
6Rmd{ Cataract prevalence rates in cross-sections I and II are
r]?ZXe$; shown in Figure 1. The overall prevalence of cortical cataract
(E59)z - was 23.8% and 23.7% in cross-sections I and II,
)I{41/_YA respectively (age-sex adjusted P = 0.81). Corresponding
lDO9GNz$ prevalence of PSC was 6.3% and 6.0% for the two crosssections
q=ZLSBZ (age-sex adjusted P = 0.60). There was an
z`((l#( increased prevalence of nuclear cataract, from 18.7% in
xn1 cross-section I to 23.9% in cross-section II over the 6-year
vb)Z&V6( period (age-sex adjusted P < 0.001). Prevalence of any cataract
8AT;9wZqt (including persons who had cataract surgery), however,
:j9{n ,F was relatively stable (46.9% and 46.8% in crosssections
5b3Wt7 I and II, respectively).
ej>8$^y After age-standardization, these prevalence rates remained
IBb3A stable for cortical cataract (23.8% and 23.5% in the two
4.7OX&L'G surveys) and PSC (6.3% and 5.9%). The slightly increased
Zalgg/. prevalence of nuclear cataract (from 18.7% to 24.2%) was
-fuSCj not altered.
sXOGI
v Table 2 shows the age-specific prevalence rates for cortical
`o
yz"07m cataract, PSC and nuclear cataract in cross-sections I and
16)@<7b]J II. A similar trend of increasing cataract prevalence with
0[TZ$<v" increasing age was evident for all three types of cataract in
Sx+.<]t2A both surveys. Comparing the age-specific prevalence
XWZ
*{/u between the two surveys, a reduction in PSC prevalence in
Pc
C9)x cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥ 75
N,V%/O{Y years). In contrast, increased nuclear cataract prevalence
D`0II= in cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥
E.Xfb"] 70 years). Age-specific cortical cataract prevalence was relatively
*5 ]fjh{ consistent between the two surveys, except for a
:M9'wg reduction in prevalence observed in the 80–84 age group
/Z HuT=j1 and an increasing prevalence in the older age groups (≥ 85
,,S5 8\x years).
RN238]K Similar gender differences in cataract prevalence were
,Y=r]
fk observed in both surveys (Table 3). Higher prevalence of
hL~@Ah5&t cortical and nuclear cataract in women than men was evident
YW9 [^ but the difference was only significant for cortical
HE(|x1C)j cataract (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, for women 1.3,
db`xlvrCY 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.1–1.5 in cross-section I
]24aK_Uu and OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6 in cross-section II). In con-
R8P7JY[h Table 1: Participant characteristics.
f!a[+^RB: Characteristics Cross-section I Cross-section II
LOpnPH` n % n %
p;`jmF
Age (mean) (66.2) (66.7)
xOP%SF 50–54 485 13.3 350 10.0
3Ba>a(E 55–59 534 14.6 580 16.5
/R^Moj< 60–64 638 17.5 600 17.1
H_m(7@= 65–69 671 18.4 639 18.2
akHcN]sa2 70–74 538 14.7 572 16.3
B
~QX{ 75–79 422 11.6 407 11.6
CdgZq\ 80–84 230 6.3 226 6.4
."Wdpf`~ 85–89 100 2.7 110 3.1
=k6zUw;5 U 90+ 36 1.0 24 0.7
NH$%g\GPs Female 2072 56.7 1998 57.0
#-dfG.* Ever Smokers 1784 51.2 1789 51.2
u[9i>7}9 Use of inhaled steroids 370 10.94 478 13.8^
By(:%=. History of:
?9xaBWf Diabetes 284 7.8 347 9.9^
/=I&-gxC Hypertension 1669 46.0 1825 52.2^
3IQ)%EN Emmetropia* 1558 42.9 1478 42.2
t=s
yo-> Myopia* 442 12.2 495 14.1^
La9v97H: Hyperopia* 1633 45.0 1532 43.7
}VxbO8\b( n = number of persons affected
H((!
BRl * best spherical equivalent refraction correction
:W(3<D7\ ^ P < 0.01
u}Vc2a,WV BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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h1@|UxaE# (page number not for citation purposes)
HSGM&!5mW t
|3{DlZ2S rast, men had slightly higher PSC prevalence than women
P5/K?I~/So in both cross-sections but the difference was not significant
7^,C=2
(OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 for men in cross-section I
hV|pH)Nu{ and OR 1.2, 95% 0.9–1.6 in cross-section II).
e@' rY#:u Discussion
6z
v+Av: Findings from two surveys of BMES cross-sectional populations
#R$d6N[H with similar age and gender distribution showed
+;~JHx.~X that the prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC remained
hFl$u8KV stable, while the prevalence of nuclear cataract appeared
BE. v+'c" to have increased. Comparison of age-specific prevalence,
1];rW`Bw with totally independent samples within each age group,
$O" S*)
9 confirmed the robustness of our findings from the two
.|Y2'TWQ survey samples. Although lens photographs taken from
# D"TY-$.= the two surveys were graded for nuclear cataract by the
:q=u+h_ same graders, who documented a high inter- and intragrader
"&?F6Pi reliability, we cannot exclude the possibility that
nN" Y~W^k variations in photography, performed by different photographers,
*0]E4]ZO may have contributed to the observed difference
kG_ K &,;@ in nuclear cataract prevalence. However, the overall
f`'?
2 Table 2: Age-specific prevalence of cataract types in cross sections I and II.
DpjiE/* Cataract type Age (years) Cross-section I Cross-section II
Jj+|>(P n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
wY|&qX, Cortical 50–54 473 4.4 (2.6–6.3) 338 7.4 (4.6–10.2)
P5s'cPX 55–59 522 9.2 (6.7–11.7) 542 9.0 (6.6–11.5)
'qcLK>E 60–64 615 16.4 (13.5–19.4) 556 16.7 (13.6–19.8)
taOD,}c|$ 65–69 653 26.2 (22.8–29.6) 581 23.6 (20.1–27.0)
y<mmv~= 70–74 516 31.2 (27.2–35.2) 514 35.4 (31.3–39.6)
*izPLM}+ 75–79 366 40.2 (35.1–45.2) 332 39.8 (34.5–45.1)
O\y#|=d 80–84 194 58.8 (51.8–65.8) 163 42.9 (35.3–50.6)
.),ql_sXr 85–89 74 52.7 (41.1–64.4) 73 54.8 (43.1–66.5)
T0BFit6 90+ 22 68.2 (47.0–89.3) 14 78.6 (54.0–103.2)
k(1]!c4J0 PSC 50–54 474 2.7 (1.3–4.2) 338 2.4 (0.7–4.0)
's]I:06A
55–59 522 2.9 (1.4–4.3) 541 2.6 (1.3–3.9)
,grdl|Dg 60–64 616 4.6 (2.9–6.2) 548 5.7 (3.7–7.6)
I;iJa@HWQ 65–69 655 6.3 (4.4–8.1) 573 4.5 (2.8–6.3)
lZoy(kdc 70–74 517 6.8 (4.6–8.9) 505 9.7 (7.1–12.3)
@IL_
75–79 367 11.4 (8.2–14.7) 327 9.5 (6.3–12.7)
S9kagiFX\ 80–84 196 12.2 (7.6–16.9) 155 10.3 (5.5–15.2)
d
|5V"U]W; 85–89 74 18.9 (9.8–28.1) 69 11.6 (3.9–19.4)
0>hV?A 90+ 23 21.7 (3.5–40.0) 11 0.0
u,AZMjlF Nuclear 50–54 323 1.6 (0.2–2.9) 331 0.9 (–0.2–1.9)
tlhYk=yq 55–59 386 2.3 (0.8–3.8) 507 3.6 (1.9–5.2)
mFCDwh] 60–64 453 5.3 (3.2–7.4) 501 11.6 (8.8–14.4)
P5 G
M s 65–69 478 17.2 (13.8–20.1) 534 18.5 (15.2–21.9)
H]e%8w))0 70–74 392 27.6 (23.1–32.0) 453 36.0 (31.6–40.4)
;Zfglid 75–79 255 45.1 (39.0–51.3) 302 55.6 (50.0–61.3)
Q/[|/uNw? 80–84 146 54.1 (45.9–62.3) 147 73.5 (66.3–80.7)
j8/rd 85–89 50 64.0 (50.2–77.8) 70 80.0 (70.4–89.6)
I
4]|r k9 90+ 18 72.2 (49.3–95.1) 15 73.3 (48.0–98.7)
i'Vrx(y3 n = number of persons
yt,xA;g * 95% Confidence Limits
dH4wyd` Cataract FMioguunrtea i1n ps rEeyvea lSetnucdey in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
&h)G>Sqc Cataract prevalence in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
|eS5~
0<` Mountains Eye Study.
-*q:B[d 0
J9s4lsea 10
f-6hcd@Ca 20
kmHIU}Z 30
JkT, i_ 40
[k~V77w
14 50
8@`"Zz M cortical PSC nuclear any
D0T0Km/" cataract
m1,?rqeb Cataract type
1rs`|iX5 %
#i$/qk=N Cross-section I
"4W@p' Cross-section II
6=ukR=]v BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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_`6fGu& W (page number not for citation purposes)
?xTMmm prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery) was
US8pT|/ relatively stable over the 6-year period.
tI651Wm9 Although different population-based studies used different
py9zDWk~ grading systems to assess cataract [15], the overall
"`pI!nj prevalence of the three cataract types were similar across
6{2LV&T=u different study populations [12,16-23]. Most studies have
.xXe *dm% suggested that nuclear cataract is the most prevalent type
`
VL`8 of cataract, followed by cortical cataract [16-20]. Ours and
om$x;L6 other studies reported that cortical cataract was the most
'FB?#C %U prevalent type [12,21-23].
Az+}[t Our age-specific prevalence data show a reduction of
nAc02lJh| 15.9% in cortical cataract prevalence for the 80–84 year
z+
ybtS>pZ age group, concordant with an increase in cataract surgery
T;6 VI|\ prevalence by 9% in those aged 80+ years observed in the
S\7-u\) same study population [10]. Although cortical cataract is
>)g`;iO thought to be the least likely cataract type leading to a cataract
bZ!*s surgery, this may not be the case in all older persons.
rLMjN#`^ A relatively stable cortical cataract and PSC prevalence
bLMN9wGOgK over the 6-year period is expected. We cannot offer a
Uloa]X=Im8 definitive explanation for the increase in nuclear cataract
J}?F4 prevalence. A possible explanation could be that a moderate
<0my,hAK level of nuclear cataract causes less visual disturbance
9
yH/5' than the other two types of cataract, thus for the oldest age
a]NQls
E}l groups, persons with nuclear cataract could have been less
lq2P10j@ likely to have surgery unless it is very dense or co-existing
(_^pX with cortical cataract or PSC. Previous studies have shown
7P}&<;5zD that functional vision and reading performance were high
1+;Z0$edxz in patients undergoing cataract surgery who had nuclear
6?-vj2, cataract only compared to those with mixed type of cataract
O+vuv,gNi (nuclear and cortical) or PSC [24,25]. In addition, the
ya7/&Z
)0 overall prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery)
IY$H M3t7 was similar in the two cross-sections, which appears
B%HG7 to support our speculation that in the oldest age group,
N*
.JQvbnr nuclear cataract may have been less likely to be operated
ZJev_mj than the other two types of cataract. This could have
zUg-M resulted in an increased nuclear cataract prevalence (due
YEGRM$'` to less being operated), compensated by the decreased
=,B44:`r prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC (due to these being
UR')) 1n more likely to be operated), leading to stable overall prevalence
H f}-> of any cataract.
Obd@#uab
Possible selection bias arising from selective survival
p|Po##E}g^ among persons without cataract could have led to underestimation
9Xw(|22
of cataract prevalence in both surveys. We
@d imZsi1 assume that such an underestimation occurred equally in
69)- )en both surveys, and thus should not have influenced our
5c?1JH62o8 assessment of temporal changes.
OZ2gIK Measurement error could also have partially contributed
0pT?qsM2 to the observed difference in nuclear cataract prevalence.
tHezS~t_ Assessment of nuclear cataract from photographs is a
m,i@ potentially subjective process that can be influenced by
&6-udZB- variations in photography (light exposure, focus and the
2y/|/IW= slit-lamp angle when the photograph was taken) and
<-xI!o"} grading. Although we used the same Topcon slit-lamp
Y%AVC9( camera and the same two graders who graded photos
?kfLOJQ:I from both surveys, we are still not able to exclude the possibility
@B
bqYX of a partial influence from photographic variation
sTx23RJ9 on this result.
{DzOXTI[Y A similar gender difference (women having a higher rate
9ohaU than men) in cortical cataract prevalence was observed in
9r,)Bw!RP both surveys. Our findings are in keeping with observations
~(W q 5<v from the Beaver Dam Eye Study [18], the Barbados
"`l8*]z Eye Study [22] and the Lens Opacities Case-Control
Z_iVOctP Group [26]. It has been suggested that the difference
.xnJT2uu' could be related to hormonal factors [18,22]. A previous
_.b ^4^[ study on biochemical factors and cataract showed that a
H
_H3Gp lower level of iron was associated with an increased risk of
VKI`@rY4 cortical cataract [27]. No interaction between sex and biochemical
J9+<9g4-t factors were detected and no gender difference
[wHGt?R was assessed in this study [27]. The gender difference seen
rVo0H.+N)` in cortical cataract could be related to relatively low iron
OjVI4@E;Xe levels and low hemoglobin concentration usually seen in
$9LI v women [28]. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cortical
Fp3NWvu Table 3: Gender distribution of cataract types in cross-sections I and II.
L[M`LZpJo Cataract type Gender Cross-section I Cross-section II
9fLxp$`(T n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
m-%.LDqM Cortical Male 1496 21.1 (19.0–23.1) 1328 20.4 (18.2–22.6)
"
n,
?) Female 1939 25.9 (23.9–27.8) 1785 26.2 (24.2–28.3)
/XfE6SBz PSC Male 1500 6.5 (5.2–7.7) 1314 6.4 (5.1–7.7)
o5k7$0:t/ Female 1944 6.2 (5.1–7.2) 1753 5.7 (4.6–6.7)
=8Bq2.nlR Nuclear Male 1106 17.6 (15.4–19.9) 1225 22.5 (20.1–24.8)
B4 XN Female 1395 19.5 (17.4–21.6) 1635 25.0 (22.9–27.1)
xA?(n!{P n = number of persons
>P-{2
a,4 * 95% Confidence Limits
ix.
I) BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 ;:2:f1_ Page 6 of 7
&\w:jI44Bs (page number not for citation purposes)
m+Um^:\jX cataract but in this particular population diabetes is more
;:)1:Dy5 prevalent in men than women in all age groups [29]. Differential
1$A7
BP exposures to cataract risk factors or different dietary
I=vGS or lifestyle patterns between men and women may
BRSOE U\= also be related to these observations and warrant further
5!tiu4LU study.
'f'zV@) Conclusion
N^Bjw
?3 In summary, in two population-based surveys 6 years
|ORro
r} apart, we have documented a relatively stable prevalence
\DDRl{ of cortical cataract and PSC over the period. The observed
U&PwEh4uG overall increased nuclear cataract prevalence by 5% over a
x JXPt
m 6-year period needs confirmation by future studies, and
#RN"Ul-B| reasons for such an increase deserve further study.
`fL81)!jI# Competing interests
G/y@`A) The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.
` D9sEt_/ Authors' contributions
C;DR@'+q AGT graded the photographs, performed literature search
I4Y;9Gg and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JJW graded the
x!@ 3.$ photographs, critically reviewed and modified the manuscript.
\os iY^ ER performed the statistical analysis and critically
e
[}m@a reviewed the manuscript. PM designed and directed the
&a/F"?9jL study, adjudicated cataract cases and critically reviewed
S8S<>W and modified the manuscript. All authors read and
o(q][:,h approved the final manuscript.
^y1P~4w? Acknowledgements
cW|M4` This study was supported by the Australian National Health & Medical
-nsI5\] Research Council, Canberra, Australia (Grant Nos 974159, 991407). The
[WAnII abstract was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
L)mb.U$`c| (ARVO) meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 2005.
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