BioMed Central
^R<= } Page 1 of 7
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#K)HuT BMC Ophthalmology
R
jAeN#,? Research article Open Access
+ZZiZ&y Comparison of age-specific cataract prevalence in two
^OQ_iPPI population-based surveys 6 years apart
U`8)rtYw Ava Grace Tan†, Jie Jin Wang*†, Elena Rochtchina† and Paul Mitchell†
)?TJ{'m Address: Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital,
KY"~Ta` Westmead, NSW, Australia
#o^E1cI Email: Ava Grace Tan -
ava_tan@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Jie Jin Wang* -
jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au;
bpU^|r^W Elena Rochtchina -
elena_rochtchina@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Paul Mitchell -
paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au XM=`(e
o * Corresponding author †Equal contributors
P4N{lQ.> Abstract
f9\7v_ Background: In this study, we aimed to compare age-specific cortical, nuclear and posterior
]kKsGch subcapsular (PSC) cataract prevalence in two surveys 6 years apart.
W%$p,^@S5 Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 participants (82.4% of those eligible) in
)0'O!O cross-section I (1992–4) and 3509 participants (75.1% of survivors and 85.2% of newly eligible) in
"3>#[o cross-section II (1997–2000, 66.5% overlap with cross-section I). Cataract was assessed from lens
p,1RRbyc photographs following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Cortical cataract was defined if
tr'95'5W. cortical opacity comprised ≥ 5% of lens area. Nuclear cataract was defined if nuclear opacity ≥
|mM7P^I Wisconsin standard 4. PSC was defined if any present. Any cataract was defined to include persons
Y}WO`+Vf5 who had previous cataract surgery. Weighted kappa for inter-grader reliability was 0.82, 0.55 and
Jq; }q63: 0.82 for cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract, respectively. We assessed age-specific prevalence using
HL!-4kN
<$ an interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age group were independent between the
X F40;urm two surveys.
!nYAyjf Results: Age and gender distributions were similar between the two populations. The age-specific
SBF3\ prevalence of cortical (23.8% in 1st, 23.7% in 2nd) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 6.0%) was similar. The
~_oTEXT^O prevalence of nuclear cataract increased slightly from 18.7% to 23.9%. After age standardization,
`}=Fw0 the similar prevalence of cortical (23.8%, 23.5%) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 5.9%), and the increased
^wHO!$ prevalence of nuclear cataract (18.7%, 24.2%) remained.
q6DhypB Conclusion: In two surveys of two population-based samples with similar age and gender
x
Dr^&rC distributions, we found a relatively stable cortical and PSC cataract prevalence over a 6-year period.
o^NQ]BdH8
The increased prevalence of nuclear cataract deserves further study.
Y}[r`}={ Background
FUOvH85f Age-related cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual
C1nQZtF R impairment in older persons [1-6]. In Australia, it is
CkflEmfe estimated that by the year 2021, the number of people
-^Lj~O affected by cataract will increase by 63%, due to population
VEn%_9(] aging [7]. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment
!6}Cs3. for cataract and normal vision (> 20/40) can usually
V{*9fB#4L be restored with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
$C>EnNx Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is currently the
!XicX9n most commonly performed, and is, arguably, the most
f[v??^ cost effective surgical procedure worldwide. Performance
$
OR>JnV Published: 20 April 2006
YA|*$$ BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2415-6-17
PNG'"7O Received: 14 December 2005
W%wS+3Q/ Accepted: 20 April 2006
nxJh
K
T This article is available from:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 k^L (q\D © 2006 Tan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
+g;G*EP7* This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
N7;2BUIXJ which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Pf!K()<uJ BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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z=)J (page number not for citation purposes)
"K@o
s< of this surgical procedure has been continuously increasing
;L`'xFo>> in the last two decades. Data from the Australian
vZKo&jUk Health Insurance Commission has shown a steady
"pH+YqJ$ increase in Medicare claims for cataract surgery [8]. A 2.6-
$`Ou* fold increase in the total number of cataract procedures
wVPq1? 9 from 1985 to 1994 has been documented in Australia [9].
#Q{6/{bM&J The rate of cataract surgery per thousand persons aged 65
AV'> years or older has doubled in the last 20 years [8,9]. In the
tsk}]@W Blue Mountains Eye Study population, we observed a onethird
'5Y8 rv< increase in cataract surgery prevalence over a mean
]juXm1)>W1 6-year interval, from 6% to nearly 8% in two cross-sectional
!9!Ns(vUM population-based samples with a similar age range
o0/03O [10]. Further increases in cataract surgery performance
15zL,yo would be expected as a result of improved surgical skills
5P! ZJ3C and technique, together with extending cataract surgical
hsl8@=_ B benefits to a greater number of older people and an
W$3p,VTMmB increased number of persons with surgery performed on
1"'//0
7 both eyes.
=DtM.o
Q> Both the prevalence and incidence of age-related cataract
[$./'-I] link directly to the demand for, and the outcome of, cataract
hcBfau;r surgery and eye health care provision. This report
qvt~wJf< aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of cortical
Q~]R#S and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract
5~sJ$5<, (PSC) in two cross-sectional population-based
a@ lK+t surveys 6 years apart.
c_".+Fa Methods
9LFg": The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a populationbased
+zlaYHj cohort study of common eye diseases and other
rdC(+2+Ay health outcomes. The study involved eligible permanent
nc31X residents aged 49 years and older, living in two postcode
[<%yUy areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
$;@s
Participants were identified through a census and were
"ex?
#qD& invited to participate. The study was approved at each
c#l
(~g$D+ stage of the data collection by the Human Ethics Committees
:n>h[{o% of the University of Sydney and the Western Sydney
>i0FGmxH Area Health Service and adhered to the recommendations
rbJ-vEzo.# of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent
O}D]G%,m was obtained from each participant.
eLt6Hg)s`9 Details of the methods used in this study have been
a.
gu described previously [11]. The baseline examinations
Bg#NB (BMES cross-section I) were conducted during 1992–
Fc nR}TE 1994 and included 3654 (82.4%) of 4433 eligible residents.
}q~A( u Follow-up examinations (BMES IIA) were conducted
ucMl>G'!gX during 1997–1999, with 2335 (75.0% of BMES
e0hT cross section I survivors) participating. A repeat census of
7tyn?t0n the same area was performed in 1999 and identified 1378
]`|bf2*eA newly eligible residents who moved into the area or the
+ W +
<~E eligible age group. During 1999–2000, 1174 (85.2%) of
u
]oS91 this group participated in an extension study (BMES IIB).
Mk^o*L{H BMES cross-section II thus includes BMES IIA (66.5%)
-nU_eDy and BMES IIB (33.5%) participants (n = 3509).
H%/$Rqg Similar procedures were used for all stages of data collection
>`lf1x at both surveys. A questionnaire was administered
fygy#&}~ including demographic, family and medical history. A
%i^%D detailed eye examination included subjective refraction,
U2K>\/-~ slit-lamp (Topcon SL-7e camera, Topcon Optical Co,
myXp]=Sb? Tokyo, Japan) and retroillumination (Neitz CT-R camera,
W`;E-28Dg Neitz Instrument Co, Tokyo, Japan) photography of the
7&+Gv6E lens. Grading of lens photographs in the BMES has been
6%5A&&O(b previously described [12]. Briefly, masked grading was
aUJ& performed on the lens photographs using the Wisconsin
b9:E0/6
Cataract Grading System [13]. Cortical cataract and PSC
Pl 5+Oo were assessed from the retroillumination photographs by
[OMKk#vW estimating the percentage of the circular grid involved.
JM M\ Cortical cataract was defined when cortical opacity
jCy2bE involved at least 5% of the total lens area. PSC was defined
=b;v:HC when opacity comprised at least 1% of the total lens area.
/ P{f#rV5
Slit-lamp photographs were used to assess nuclear cataract
< 'T6k\ using the Wisconsin standard set of four lens photographs
|&C.P?q [13]. Nuclear cataract was defined when nuclear opacity
id*UTY
Tg was at least as great as the standard 4 photograph. Any cataract
'av
OQj]`K was defined to include persons who had previous
BV7GzJ2([{ cataract surgery as well as those with any of three cataract
:yw0-]/DD types. Inter-grader reliability was high, with weighted
'1bdBx\<. kappa 0.82 for cortical cataract, 0.55 (simple kappa 0.75)
}G-qOt for nuclear cataract and 0.82 for PSC grading. The intragrader
r{Xh]U&>k reliability for nuclear cataract was assessed with
bk"` hq simple kappa 0.83 for the senior grader who graded
:JPI#zZun nuclear cataract at both surveys. All PSC cases were confirmed
-
5A"TNU by an ophthalmologist (PM).
\ar.(J In cross-section I, 219 persons (6.0%) had missing or
ZfMJU ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3435 with photographs
fv)-o&Q# available for cortical cataract and PSC assessment,
4R^'+hy|? while 1153 (31.6%) had randomly missing or ungradable
qk<tLvD_' Topcon photographs due to a camera malfunction, leaving
~Fisno 2501 with photographs available for nuclear cataract
jz/@Zg", assessment. Comparison of characteristics between participants
1{"e'[L with and without Neitz or Topcon photographs in
N7Dm,Q] cross-section I showed no statistically significant differences
3WaYeol` between the two groups, as reported previously
m3.d!~U\ [12]. In cross-section II, 441 persons (12.5%) had missing
:#b[gWl0Ru or ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3068 for cortical
E-&=I> B5 cataract and PSC assessment, and 648 (18.5%) had
ptrLnJ|% missing or ungradable Topcon photographs, leaving 2860
g_.BJ>Uv for nuclear cataract assessment.
{Uu7@1@n Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis
u5%.T0
P System (SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Age-adjusted
G+}|gG8 prevalence was calculated using direct standardization of
< R0c=BZ> the cross-section II population to the cross-section I population.
:m-HHWMN We assessed age-specific prevalence using an
2Xgn[oI{ interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age
t3G%}d? group were independent between the two cross-sectional
0I079fqk< surveys.
RM QlciG BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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b Kv9F@ (page number not for citation purposes)
3u-j`7 Results
G8eAj%88 Characteristics of the two survey populations have been
Z#MPlw0B previously compared [14] and showed that age and sex
Pxy(YMv distributions were similar. Table 1 compares participant
dIMs{! characteristics between the two cross-sections. Cross-section
RIb<
7 II participants generally had higher rates of diabetes,
&vd9\Pp hypertension, myopia and more users of inhaled steroids.
Nqewtn9n Cataract prevalence rates in cross-sections I and II are
=<R77rnY& shown in Figure 1. The overall prevalence of cortical cataract
rOH8W was 23.8% and 23.7% in cross-sections I and II,
"7iHTV respectively (age-sex adjusted P = 0.81). Corresponding
Z}$
.Tm prevalence of PSC was 6.3% and 6.0% for the two crosssections
<86upS6 (age-sex adjusted P = 0.60). There was an
'2v,!G]^
increased prevalence of nuclear cataract, from 18.7% in
2'
_Oi-& cross-section I to 23.9% in cross-section II over the 6-year
A]ciox$AjW period (age-sex adjusted P < 0.001). Prevalence of any cataract
HI)ks~E/ (including persons who had cataract surgery), however,
19&!#z was relatively stable (46.9% and 46.8% in crosssections
Kx$
?IxZ I and II, respectively).
ub./U@1 After age-standardization, these prevalence rates remained
vQYd!DSh stable for cortical cataract (23.8% and 23.5% in the two
h}rrsVj3 surveys) and PSC (6.3% and 5.9%). The slightly increased
2t/ba3Rfk prevalence of nuclear cataract (from 18.7% to 24.2%) was
A:&
`oJl not altered.
x>p=1(L Table 2 shows the age-specific prevalence rates for cortical
*+lnAxRa? cataract, PSC and nuclear cataract in cross-sections I and
FHqa|4Ie II. A similar trend of increasing cataract prevalence with
$Y)|&, increasing age was evident for all three types of cataract in
Z9 }qds6 y both surveys. Comparing the age-specific prevalence
E^T/Qu between the two surveys, a reduction in PSC prevalence in
Q(E$;@
cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥ 75
Nr6YQH*[ years). In contrast, increased nuclear cataract prevalence
zxTm`Dh;[ in cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥
,|?B5n& 70 years). Age-specific cortical cataract prevalence was relatively
L&q~5 9 consistent between the two surveys, except for a
D?8t'3no reduction in prevalence observed in the 80–84 age group
%[&cy' and an increasing prevalence in the older age groups (≥ 85
R-bI
CGSE years).
mJ !}!~: Similar gender differences in cataract prevalence were
cD-\fRBGK observed in both surveys (Table 3). Higher prevalence of
_OHz6ag cortical and nuclear cataract in women than men was evident
j#<#o:If but the difference was only significant for cortical
X}h{xl cataract (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, for women 1.3,
Xj?j1R>GB 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.1–1.5 in cross-section I
0ot=BlMu and OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6 in cross-section II). In con-
VCkhK9(N Table 1: Participant characteristics.
Eki7bT@/ Characteristics Cross-section I Cross-section II
bXC
;6xZV n % n %
FV! Age (mean) (66.2) (66.7)
@fPiGu`L 50–54 485 13.3 350 10.0
OBF5Tl4 55–59 534 14.6 580 16.5
80c\O-{ 60–64 638 17.5 600 17.1
r]kLe2r:B 65–69 671 18.4 639 18.2
F#O.
i, 70–74 538 14.7 572 16.3
kG@1jMPtQ 75–79 422 11.6 407 11.6
e
J2wK3R 80–84 230 6.3 226 6.4
lf[( 85–89 100 2.7 110 3.1
#0hX)7(j 90+ 36 1.0 24 0.7
[ wr0TbtV Female 2072 56.7 1998 57.0
rqT@i(i Ever Smokers 1784 51.2 1789 51.2
xa5I{<<U Use of inhaled steroids 370 10.94 478 13.8^
V~NS<!+q History of:
fW <qp
Diabetes 284 7.8 347 9.9^
Cq}LKiu Hypertension 1669 46.0 1825 52.2^
=Q[5U9 Emmetropia* 1558 42.9 1478 42.2
enDjP Myopia* 442 12.2 495 14.1^
r}pYm'e Hyperopia* 1633 45.0 1532 43.7
0waQw7
E n = number of persons affected
\b{=&B[Q$' * best spherical equivalent refraction correction
}#a d ^ P < 0.01
coyy T BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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=uMoX
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yLipu
MNV t
*=UEx0_!q rast, men had slightly higher PSC prevalence than women
s-3vp in both cross-sections but the difference was not significant
4B^f"6' (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 for men in cross-section I
gdNE
MT and OR 1.2, 95% 0.9–1.6 in cross-section II).
/2~qm/%Q Discussion
8! p
fy" Findings from two surveys of BMES cross-sectional populations
[Xg?sdQCI with similar age and gender distribution showed
SHIK=&\~- that the prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC remained
ik
w_t? stable, while the prevalence of nuclear cataract appeared
o~*% g. to have increased. Comparison of age-specific prevalence,
Vj2]-]Cm with totally independent samples within each age group,
*)T},|Gc confirmed the robustness of our findings from the two
l)4KX{Rz{A survey samples. Although lens photographs taken from
Nd%,V the two surveys were graded for nuclear cataract by the
:-69
,e same graders, who documented a high inter- and intragrader
tF
O27z@ reliability, we cannot exclude the possibility that
;Ze}i/
l variations in photography, performed by different photographers,
DrC
4oxS 1 may have contributed to the observed difference
K
n?>XXAc in nuclear cataract prevalence. However, the overall
!w(J]< Table 2: Age-specific prevalence of cataract types in cross sections I and II.
|zKFF?7#wE Cataract type Age (years) Cross-section I Cross-section II
Xt_8=Q n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
tux/@}I Cortical 50–54 473 4.4 (2.6–6.3) 338 7.4 (4.6–10.2)
g\,pZ]0i 55–59 522 9.2 (6.7–11.7) 542 9.0 (6.6–11.5)
+ZQf$@+ 60–64 615 16.4 (13.5–19.4) 556 16.7 (13.6–19.8)
;wa-\Z 65–69 653 26.2 (22.8–29.6) 581 23.6 (20.1–27.0)
LkK%DY
70–74 516 31.2 (27.2–35.2) 514 35.4 (31.3–39.6)
N>/!e787OU 75–79 366 40.2 (35.1–45.2) 332 39.8 (34.5–45.1)
P\pHos 80–84 194 58.8 (51.8–65.8) 163 42.9 (35.3–50.6)
[U5[;BNRD 85–89 74 52.7 (41.1–64.4) 73 54.8 (43.1–66.5)
_)"-z
bh}{ 90+ 22 68.2 (47.0–89.3) 14 78.6 (54.0–103.2)
^KM' O8 PSC 50–54 474 2.7 (1.3–4.2) 338 2.4 (0.7–4.0)
|A0BYzlVc 55–59 522 2.9 (1.4–4.3) 541 2.6 (1.3–3.9)
| (JxtQqQg 60–64 616 4.6 (2.9–6.2) 548 5.7 (3.7–7.6)
V|gW%Z,j 65–69 655 6.3 (4.4–8.1) 573 4.5 (2.8–6.3)
l=GcgxD+"d 70–74 517 6.8 (4.6–8.9) 505 9.7 (7.1–12.3)
U0 nSI 75–79 367 11.4 (8.2–14.7) 327 9.5 (6.3–12.7)
>E;kM
B 80–84 196 12.2 (7.6–16.9) 155 10.3 (5.5–15.2)
U5\^[~vW 85–89 74 18.9 (9.8–28.1) 69 11.6 (3.9–19.4)
sEkfmB2J/ 90+ 23 21.7 (3.5–40.0) 11 0.0
)CJXkzOX Nuclear 50–54 323 1.6 (0.2–2.9) 331 0.9 (–0.2–1.9)
zl^ %x1G 55–59 386 2.3 (0.8–3.8) 507 3.6 (1.9–5.2)
O]3$$uI=QE 60–64 453 5.3 (3.2–7.4) 501 11.6 (8.8–14.4)
6Ri+DPf: 65–69 478 17.2 (13.8–20.1) 534 18.5 (15.2–21.9)
Iv+JEuIi 70–74 392 27.6 (23.1–32.0) 453 36.0 (31.6–40.4)
iO 9.SF0:
75–79 255 45.1 (39.0–51.3) 302 55.6 (50.0–61.3)
UTB]svC' 80–84 146 54.1 (45.9–62.3) 147 73.5 (66.3–80.7)
`?E|frz[ 85–89 50 64.0 (50.2–77.8) 70 80.0 (70.4–89.6)
+O"!* 90+ 18 72.2 (49.3–95.1) 15 73.3 (48.0–98.7)
-@L7!,j n = number of persons
m#1>y} * 95% Confidence Limits
-
:cBVu-m Cataract FMioguunrtea i1n ps rEeyvea lSetnucdey in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
.j^tFvN~L Cataract prevalence in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
9^;Cz>6s Mountains Eye Study.
2^ uP[ 0
/5:2g#S4 10
I]Ev6>=; 20
~&HP}Q$#f 30
M^IEu} 40
zUq ^ 50
!ZNirvk cortical PSC nuclear any
dynkb901s cataract
zVt1Ta:j Cataract type
@};
vl %
>AK9F.
_z Cross-section I
P* X^)R Cross-section II
_E %!5u BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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B(|*u (page number not for citation purposes)
tTEw"DL_- prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery) was
$8>kk relatively stable over the 6-year period.
OQ(w]G0LP Although different population-based studies used different
lbs0i grading systems to assess cataract [15], the overall
m^!Kthq prevalence of the three cataract types were similar across
i?wEd!=w different study populations [12,16-23]. Most studies have
A_e&#O suggested that nuclear cataract is the most prevalent type
|N5r_V of cataract, followed by cortical cataract [16-20]. Ours and
P2Jo^WS other studies reported that cortical cataract was the most
L"KKW
c prevalent type [12,21-23].
CdZ. T/x Our age-specific prevalence data show a reduction of
*{:Zdg'~E 15.9% in cortical cataract prevalence for the 80–84 year
_C@A>]GT age group, concordant with an increase in cataract surgery
*iX PG9XZ prevalence by 9% in those aged 80+ years observed in the
C/?x`2' same study population [10]. Although cortical cataract is
mzf~qV^T thought to be the least likely cataract type leading to a cataract
mzRH:HgN? surgery, this may not be the case in all older persons.
BOflhoUX A relatively stable cortical cataract and PSC prevalence
23d*;ri5 over the 6-year period is expected. We cannot offer a
S
awf]/ definitive explanation for the increase in nuclear cataract
\G0YLV~>P prevalence. A possible explanation could be that a moderate
CJjT-(a level of nuclear cataract causes less visual disturbance
(`&SV$m than the other two types of cataract, thus for the oldest age
z"nMR_TTu groups, persons with nuclear cataract could have been less
VS\| f'E likely to have surgery unless it is very dense or co-existing
b_&:tE--] with cortical cataract or PSC. Previous studies have shown
b*(,W that functional vision and reading performance were high
wpWZn[j in patients undergoing cataract surgery who had nuclear
tdHeZv cataract only compared to those with mixed type of cataract
5dX /< (nuclear and cortical) or PSC [24,25]. In addition, the
wg+[T;0S overall prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery)
ov<vSc<u was similar in the two cross-sections, which appears
An_3DrUFV_ to support our speculation that in the oldest age group,
o@m7@$7 nuclear cataract may have been less likely to be operated
X$Shi
*U[ than the other two types of cataract. This could have
:N!s@6 resulted in an increased nuclear cataract prevalence (due
O5MV&Zb( to less being operated), compensated by the decreased
O]Ey@7 & prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC (due to these being
ev#/v:$? more likely to be operated), leading to stable overall prevalence
)(OGo`4Qz of any cataract.
U;A,W$<9 Possible selection bias arising from selective survival
HVdB*QEH among persons without cataract could have led to underestimation
d}a
MdIF!e of cataract prevalence in both surveys. We
f%3MDI assume that such an underestimation occurred equally in
1,Es' both surveys, and thus should not have influenced our
k]A=Q assessment of temporal changes.
R, #szTu Measurement error could also have partially contributed
_%3p&1ld to the observed difference in nuclear cataract prevalence.
.F'Cb)Z Assessment of nuclear cataract from photographs is a
odDVdVx0 potentially subjective process that can be influenced by
e
x#-,;T variations in photography (light exposure, focus and the
Ci 'V slit-lamp angle when the photograph was taken) and
:]4s
;q:m grading. Although we used the same Topcon slit-lamp
uGn BlR$} camera and the same two graders who graded photos
<I*N=;7 from both surveys, we are still not able to exclude the possibility
wy^mh.= UX of a partial influence from photographic variation
He$v'87] on this result.
:fDzMD A similar gender difference (women having a higher rate
U# I
PYyV than men) in cortical cataract prevalence was observed in
([|^3tM both surveys. Our findings are in keeping with observations
r"
7PSJ from the Beaver Dam Eye Study [18], the Barbados
QE pCU) Eye Study [22] and the Lens Opacities Case-Control
A~v[6*~> Group [26]. It has been suggested that the difference
f'MRC
\ could be related to hormonal factors [18,22]. A previous
FRL;fF study on biochemical factors and cataract showed that a
'f0R/6h\3s lower level of iron was associated with an increased risk of
JvEW0-B^l, cortical cataract [27]. No interaction between sex and biochemical
EuA352x factors were detected and no gender difference
Unansk was assessed in this study [27]. The gender difference seen
C8i4z in cortical cataract could be related to relatively low iron
e\O625 levels and low hemoglobin concentration usually seen in
P8H2v_)X& women [28]. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cortical
unRFc
jEa Table 3: Gender distribution of cataract types in cross-sections I and II.
gK"(;Jih$ Cataract type Gender Cross-section I Cross-section II
,Y#f0 n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
cp"{W-Q{$ Cortical Male 1496 21.1 (19.0–23.1) 1328 20.4 (18.2–22.6)
0C3Y =F Female 1939 25.9 (23.9–27.8) 1785 26.2 (24.2–28.3)
>s!k"s, PSC Male 1500 6.5 (5.2–7.7) 1314 6.4 (5.1–7.7)
xT( pB-R Female 1944 6.2 (5.1–7.2) 1753 5.7 (4.6–6.7)
+;)Xu}
Nuclear Male 1106 17.6 (15.4–19.9) 1225 22.5 (20.1–24.8)
,,1y0s0` Female 1395 19.5 (17.4–21.6) 1635 25.0 (22.9–27.1)
7<L!" 2VB n = number of persons
82V;J 8T? * 95% Confidence Limits
zTl,VIa3p BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 aI|X~b Page 6 of 7
M$Rh]3vqR (page number not for citation purposes)
#)i+'L8 cataract but in this particular population diabetes is more
7Bd=K=3u prevalent in men than women in all age groups [29]. Differential
hQz1zG`z7 exposures to cataract risk factors or different dietary
Q
\SSv;3_ or lifestyle patterns between men and women may
* bhb=~
also be related to these observations and warrant further
]GsI|se
study.
bYX.4(R Conclusion
]3Ibl^J In summary, in two population-based surveys 6 years
C[l5[DpH apart, we have documented a relatively stable prevalence
e2>AL of cortical cataract and PSC over the period. The observed
_KBa`lhE overall increased nuclear cataract prevalence by 5% over a
-G'3&L4
D 6-year period needs confirmation by future studies, and
3qDbfO[ reasons for such an increase deserve further study.
$" =3e]< Competing interests
0zsmZ]b5E The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.
??LE0i Authors' contributions
L)S
V?FBx AGT graded the photographs, performed literature search
l<(jm{q?u and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JJW graded the
S!^I<#d K photographs, critically reviewed and modified the manuscript.
w4&\-S# ER performed the statistical analysis and critically
^&c &5S} reviewed the manuscript. PM designed and directed the
TN08,:k study, adjudicated cataract cases and critically reviewed
y@AUSh; and modified the manuscript. All authors read and
T{N8 K K approved the final manuscript.
mtw{7E Acknowledgements
oh9L2" This study was supported by the Australian National Health & Medical
E}#&2n8Y Research Council, Canberra, Australia (Grant Nos 974159, 991407). The
|@f\[v9` abstract was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
rZ.z!10 (ARVO) meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 2005.
xK
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