BioMed Central
vs8[352 Page 1 of 7
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i3XtrP"" BMC Ophthalmology
Ju>Q
QOxi| Research article Open Access
@~gPZm Comparison of age-specific cataract prevalence in two
>yc),]1~ population-based surveys 6 years apart
;r2DQg"#@ Ava Grace Tan†, Jie Jin Wang*†, Elena Rochtchina† and Paul Mitchell†
C+\z$/q Address: Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital,
#TUm&2 +V Westmead, NSW, Australia
vgc
~%k62c Email: Ava Grace Tan -
ava_tan@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Jie Jin Wang* -
jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au;
t_ CMsp Elena Rochtchina -
elena_rochtchina@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Paul Mitchell -
paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au >c@! EPS * Corresponding author †Equal contributors
#U0| j?!D Abstract
c2V_|oL Background: In this study, we aimed to compare age-specific cortical, nuclear and posterior
8]&Fu3M^ subcapsular (PSC) cataract prevalence in two surveys 6 years apart.
@j\;9>I/ Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 participants (82.4% of those eligible) in
G>^= Bm_$ cross-section I (1992–4) and 3509 participants (75.1% of survivors and 85.2% of newly eligible) in
2KXFXR cross-section II (1997–2000, 66.5% overlap with cross-section I). Cataract was assessed from lens
#l>r9Z71 photographs following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Cortical cataract was defined if
&7kLSb&|; cortical opacity comprised ≥ 5% of lens area. Nuclear cataract was defined if nuclear opacity ≥
0Runex[
Wisconsin standard 4. PSC was defined if any present. Any cataract was defined to include persons
3q'nO-KJ who had previous cataract surgery. Weighted kappa for inter-grader reliability was 0.82, 0.55 and
Lm$KR!z 0.82 for cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract, respectively. We assessed age-specific prevalence using
n{|j#j an interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age group were independent between the
/ !h<+ two surveys.
?`vGpi~ Results: Age and gender distributions were similar between the two populations. The age-specific
%
>nAPO+e prevalence of cortical (23.8% in 1st, 23.7% in 2nd) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 6.0%) was similar. The
_0 [s] prevalence of nuclear cataract increased slightly from 18.7% to 23.9%. After age standardization,
"pX|?ap the similar prevalence of cortical (23.8%, 23.5%) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 5.9%), and the increased
/hg^hF prevalence of nuclear cataract (18.7%, 24.2%) remained.
O 8 l`1 Conclusion: In two surveys of two population-based samples with similar age and gender
PtPx(R3 distributions, we found a relatively stable cortical and PSC cataract prevalence over a 6-year period.
;|= 5)KE The increased prevalence of nuclear cataract deserves further study.
=sAOWI,8! Background
r
'ioH"= Age-related cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual
n%2c<@p# impairment in older persons [1-6]. In Australia, it is
sNG 7fi.| estimated that by the year 2021, the number of people
&6GW9pl[ affected by cataract will increase by 63%, due to population
m,5m'9dj aging [7]. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment
d|tNn@jN for cataract and normal vision (> 20/40) can usually
Hm 0;[i be restored with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
f#38QP-T Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is currently the
gW G>}M@ most commonly performed, and is, arguably, the most
3cqc< cost effective surgical procedure worldwide. Performance
u~t% GIg Published: 20 April 2006
]7,0}q. BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2415-6-17
gf;B&MM6 Received: 14 December 2005
],<pZ1V; Accepted: 20 April 2006
93)1 This article is available from:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 bT:;^eG" © 2006 Tan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
z4[8*} This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
^x >R #.R which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
=b3<}] BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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AhVV (page number not for citation purposes)
UnTvot6~ of this surgical procedure has been continuously increasing
H"JzTo8u in the last two decades. Data from the Australian
meD?<g4n~" Health Insurance Commission has shown a steady
z}$!B.) increase in Medicare claims for cataract surgery [8]. A 2.6-
!5zj+N fold increase in the total number of cataract procedures
R5cpmCs@R from 1985 to 1994 has been documented in Australia [9].
0@jhNtL The rate of cataract surgery per thousand persons aged 65
$Ehe8,=fj years or older has doubled in the last 20 years [8,9]. In the
#"JtH"pF Blue Mountains Eye Study population, we observed a onethird
UDgUbi^v|D increase in cataract surgery prevalence over a mean
|/RZGC4 6-year interval, from 6% to nearly 8% in two cross-sectional
kSqMI'89 population-based samples with a similar age range
ESY\!X:| [10]. Further increases in cataract surgery performance
L8 $+%Gvo would be expected as a result of improved surgical skills
Q[% +y. and technique, together with extending cataract surgical
y}>bJ: benefits to a greater number of older people and an
tc<HA7vpt~ increased number of persons with surgery performed on
VL@eR9}9K both eyes.
:8Ql(I Both the prevalence and incidence of age-related cataract
0(az 80
p link directly to the demand for, and the outcome of, cataract
5cSqo{|En surgery and eye health care provision. This report
} |? W aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of cortical
/-C6I: and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract
/c52w"WW (PSC) in two cross-sectional population-based
l 1Ns~ surveys 6 years apart.
\oV g(J&o Methods
v^Pjvv = The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a populationbased
`&)uuLn| cohort study of common eye diseases and other
wD`jks health outcomes. The study involved eligible permanent
`RLn)a residents aged 49 years and older, living in two postcode
8\_ YP3 areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
-ZE]VO*F Participants were identified through a census and were
LRmH@-qP invited to participate. The study was approved at each
DH{^9HK stage of the data collection by the Human Ethics Committees
nv2p&-e+ of the University of Sydney and the Western Sydney
Qj',&b Area Health Service and adhered to the recommendations
C.q4rr of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent
0fQMOTpOp was obtained from each participant.
dG*2-v^G Details of the methods used in this study have been
u8i!Fxu described previously [11]. The baseline examinations
72{Ce7J4 (BMES cross-section I) were conducted during 1992–
hy{1 Ea/T 1994 and included 3654 (82.4%) of 4433 eligible residents.
,5HC&@ Follow-up examinations (BMES IIA) were conducted
K&>+<bJ_ during 1997–1999, with 2335 (75.0% of BMES
Avn)%9 cross section I survivors) participating. A repeat census of
FJ(}@U}57 the same area was performed in 1999 and identified 1378
"kg;fF| newly eligible residents who moved into the area or the
[BzwQ 4 eligible age group. During 1999–2000, 1174 (85.2%) of
;7w4BJcq'] this group participated in an extension study (BMES IIB).
] B3\IT BMES cross-section II thus includes BMES IIA (66.5%)
/#xx,?~xx0 and BMES IIB (33.5%) participants (n = 3509).
y?@(%PTp Similar procedures were used for all stages of data collection
El:
& at both surveys. A questionnaire was administered
{m7>9{` including demographic, family and medical history. A
On4tK\l@ detailed eye examination included subjective refraction,
< k?jt slit-lamp (Topcon SL-7e camera, Topcon Optical Co,
R8![
$mkU Tokyo, Japan) and retroillumination (Neitz CT-R camera,
b'$fr6"O1 Neitz Instrument Co, Tokyo, Japan) photography of the
>* >}d% lens. Grading of lens photographs in the BMES has been
]'!$T72 previously described [12]. Briefly, masked grading was
/7[X_)OG performed on the lens photographs using the Wisconsin
c6_i~0W56 Cataract Grading System [13]. Cortical cataract and PSC
CFyu9Al were assessed from the retroillumination photographs by
.`Rju|l estimating the percentage of the circular grid involved.
%1^E;n Cortical cataract was defined when cortical opacity
r}Ec_0_lt involved at least 5% of the total lens area. PSC was defined
N497"H</ when opacity comprised at least 1% of the total lens area.
X[r\ Qa Slit-lamp photographs were used to assess nuclear cataract
nht?58 using the Wisconsin standard set of four lens photographs
+(l(|lQy$ [13]. Nuclear cataract was defined when nuclear opacity
NT&skrzW was at least as great as the standard 4 photograph. Any cataract
1}Mdo&:t was defined to include persons who had previous
,J)wn;@ cataract surgery as well as those with any of three cataract
,3~[cE<4 types. Inter-grader reliability was high, with weighted
h}knn3"S kappa 0.82 for cortical cataract, 0.55 (simple kappa 0.75)
Xah-*]ET for nuclear cataract and 0.82 for PSC grading. The intragrader
gUtxyW reliability for nuclear cataract was assessed with
"yA=Tw simple kappa 0.83 for the senior grader who graded
X8Y)5,`s nuclear cataract at both surveys. All PSC cases were confirmed
ywj'S7~A by an ophthalmologist (PM).
}{S
f* In cross-section I, 219 persons (6.0%) had missing or
GZCX m+ ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3435 with photographs
x}B_;&>&"_ available for cortical cataract and PSC assessment,
(dgBI}Za while 1153 (31.6%) had randomly missing or ungradable
$$f89, h Topcon photographs due to a camera malfunction, leaving
{$fd?| 9h 2501 with photographs available for nuclear cataract
lZ>j:/R8^& assessment. Comparison of characteristics between participants
$
-ICTp with and without Neitz or Topcon photographs in
o~ J~-$T{ cross-section I showed no statistically significant differences
Ka
+N5 T.f between the two groups, as reported previously
H2
Gj(Nc- [12]. In cross-section II, 441 persons (12.5%) had missing
:Cdqj0O3u or ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3068 for cortical
fv+t%,++: cataract and PSC assessment, and 648 (18.5%) had
uZhY)o*]@ missing or ungradable Topcon photographs, leaving 2860
%(YU*Tf~ for nuclear cataract assessment.
rGIf/=G^r Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis
lGZf_X)gA^ System (SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Age-adjusted
=%Z5"]; prevalence was calculated using direct standardization of
odsLFU( the cross-section II population to the cross-section I population.
c]]e( We assessed age-specific prevalence using an
$LOwuvu> interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age
U"L7G$ group were independent between the two cross-sectional
VV$4NV&`Q surveys.
Xt9vTCox BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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?(R!BB (page number not for citation purposes)
Bj*\)lG<
Results
{v>8Kp7_R Characteristics of the two survey populations have been
[~{'"-3L0 previously compared [14] and showed that age and sex
^{{0ajI9C distributions were similar. Table 1 compares participant
cyTBp58
characteristics between the two cross-sections. Cross-section
yE{\]j|Zf II participants generally had higher rates of diabetes,
4H*M^?h\# hypertension, myopia and more users of inhaled steroids.
?d' vIpzO! Cataract prevalence rates in cross-sections I and II are
aE
2= shown in Figure 1. The overall prevalence of cortical cataract
*)D
$w_06S was 23.8% and 23.7% in cross-sections I and II,
7KJ%-&L^ respectively (age-sex adjusted P = 0.81). Corresponding
& N.]8x5A prevalence of PSC was 6.3% and 6.0% for the two crosssections
76(/(v.x (age-sex adjusted P = 0.60). There was an
f<y-{.VnN$ increased prevalence of nuclear cataract, from 18.7% in
8DGPA cross-section I to 23.9% in cross-section II over the 6-year
Fk`
|?pQm period (age-sex adjusted P < 0.001). Prevalence of any cataract
J;*2[o.N (including persons who had cataract surgery), however,
eZ8DW6 l*
was relatively stable (46.9% and 46.8% in crosssections
szUJh9- I and II, respectively).
5$ &',v( After age-standardization, these prevalence rates remained
K^e4w`F| stable for cortical cataract (23.8% and 23.5% in the two
w
njAiIE5 surveys) and PSC (6.3% and 5.9%). The slightly increased
!:c_i,N prevalence of nuclear cataract (from 18.7% to 24.2%) was
7G=Q9^J.H not altered.
4w#:?Y
_\[ Table 2 shows the age-specific prevalence rates for cortical
B|ctauJ cataract, PSC and nuclear cataract in cross-sections I and
{RN-rF3w II. A similar trend of increasing cataract prevalence with
6
\}.l increasing age was evident for all three types of cataract in
M'nzoRk both surveys. Comparing the age-specific prevalence
E<'V6T9bi between the two surveys, a reduction in PSC prevalence in
GG
%*d] cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥ 75
!.{"Ttn;s years). In contrast, increased nuclear cataract prevalence
2"EaF^?\ in cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥
nT9Hw~f<j 70 years). Age-specific cortical cataract prevalence was relatively
v;#0h7qd consistent between the two surveys, except for a
YBL.R;^v reduction in prevalence observed in the 80–84 age group
U>0
bgL and an increasing prevalence in the older age groups (≥ 85
kTA4!654 years).
?Xj@Sx Similar gender differences in cataract prevalence were
xoQ(GrBY observed in both surveys (Table 3). Higher prevalence of
K!(hj '0. cortical and nuclear cataract in women than men was evident
VNwOD-b/] but the difference was only significant for cortical
hE7rnn{ cataract (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, for women 1.3,
O-ppR7edh 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.1–1.5 in cross-section I
+5Ju `Z and OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6 in cross-section II). In con-
S8O,{ Table 1: Participant characteristics.
"gt1pf~y Characteristics Cross-section I Cross-section II
|3g'~E?$ n % n %
vCUbb
Qz Age (mean) (66.2) (66.7)
G4ycP8 50–54 485 13.3 350 10.0
|>b;M,`OO 55–59 534 14.6 580 16.5
9\uBX.]x 60–64 638 17.5 600 17.1
4m6/ba 65–69 671 18.4 639 18.2
sF3@7~m4 70–74 538 14.7 572 16.3
<{i1/"k?X 75–79 422 11.6 407 11.6
Zr(eH2}0D 80–84 230 6.3 226 6.4
Ii!{\p! 85–89 100 2.7 110 3.1
#'n.az=1 90+ 36 1.0 24 0.7
u/V&1In Female 2072 56.7 1998 57.0
lYmxd8 Ever Smokers 1784 51.2 1789 51.2
.)<l69ZD Z Use of inhaled steroids 370 10.94 478 13.8^
sQ+s3x1y History of:
"\u<\CL Diabetes 284 7.8 347 9.9^
\jb62Jp Hypertension 1669 46.0 1825 52.2^
{^k7}`7, Emmetropia* 1558 42.9 1478 42.2
H;0K4|I Myopia* 442 12.2 495 14.1^
n@6vCdk. Hyperopia* 1633 45.0 1532 43.7
6 X'#F,M n = number of persons affected
"{Hl! Zq/ * best spherical equivalent refraction correction
z#lIu ^ P < 0.01
y6Ez.$M BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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I@IE0+ [n (page number not for citation purposes)
wc-v]$DW t
DK20}&RQ rast, men had slightly higher PSC prevalence than women
*j=58d`n in both cross-sections but the difference was not significant
2:<H)oB (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 for men in cross-section I
f$vU$>+[ and OR 1.2, 95% 0.9–1.6 in cross-section II).
}R%*J Discussion
M Np4=R Findings from two surveys of BMES cross-sectional populations
KT+{-"4- with similar age and gender distribution showed
QO>';ul5 that the prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC remained
7 U-}Y stable, while the prevalence of nuclear cataract appeared
=)Fb&h]G^ to have increased. Comparison of age-specific prevalence,
cc>b#&s with totally independent samples within each age group,
";7/8(LBZ confirmed the robustness of our findings from the two
]{|lGtK % survey samples. Although lens photographs taken from
H@9QEj!Y the two surveys were graded for nuclear cataract by the
IZiS3 same graders, who documented a high inter- and intragrader
s0:M'wA reliability, we cannot exclude the possibility that
!\'H{,G variations in photography, performed by different photographers,
mU"Am0Bdjq may have contributed to the observed difference
'X6Z:dZY in nuclear cataract prevalence. However, the overall
\3"B$Sp|= Table 2: Age-specific prevalence of cataract types in cross sections I and II.
o7WAH@g Cataract type Age (years) Cross-section I Cross-section II
6RguUDRQ n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
dQ_4aO Cortical 50–54 473 4.4 (2.6–6.3) 338 7.4 (4.6–10.2)
oI'& &Bt 55–59 522 9.2 (6.7–11.7) 542 9.0 (6.6–11.5)
2,^> lY 60–64 615 16.4 (13.5–19.4) 556 16.7 (13.6–19.8)
9
W|'~r 65–69 653 26.2 (22.8–29.6) 581 23.6 (20.1–27.0)
cP\z*\dS 70–74 516 31.2 (27.2–35.2) 514 35.4 (31.3–39.6)
z] -m<#1 75–79 366 40.2 (35.1–45.2) 332 39.8 (34.5–45.1)
m{$}u@a 80–84 194 58.8 (51.8–65.8) 163 42.9 (35.3–50.6)
}q'IY:r 85–89 74 52.7 (41.1–64.4) 73 54.8 (43.1–66.5)
v*FbvrY 90+ 22 68.2 (47.0–89.3) 14 78.6 (54.0–103.2)
/8nUecr PSC 50–54 474 2.7 (1.3–4.2) 338 2.4 (0.7–4.0)
]9)iBvQlj 55–59 522 2.9 (1.4–4.3) 541 2.6 (1.3–3.9)
.tppCy 60–64 616 4.6 (2.9–6.2) 548 5.7 (3.7–7.6)
gat;Er 65–69 655 6.3 (4.4–8.1) 573 4.5 (2.8–6.3)
WPAUY<6f 70–74 517 6.8 (4.6–8.9) 505 9.7 (7.1–12.3)
`#wEa'v6 75–79 367 11.4 (8.2–14.7) 327 9.5 (6.3–12.7)
4;3Vc% 80–84 196 12.2 (7.6–16.9) 155 10.3 (5.5–15.2)
5f?GSHA} 85–89 74 18.9 (9.8–28.1) 69 11.6 (3.9–19.4)
^suQ7#g 90+ 23 21.7 (3.5–40.0) 11 0.0
9v
;HE{> Nuclear 50–54 323 1.6 (0.2–2.9) 331 0.9 (–0.2–1.9)
6xwjKh:9 55–59 386 2.3 (0.8–3.8) 507 3.6 (1.9–5.2)
8 hhMuh 60–64 453 5.3 (3.2–7.4) 501 11.6 (8.8–14.4)
_+nk3-yQw 65–69 478 17.2 (13.8–20.1) 534 18.5 (15.2–21.9)
Ge=^q. 70–74 392 27.6 (23.1–32.0) 453 36.0 (31.6–40.4)
nw, .I [ 75–79 255 45.1 (39.0–51.3) 302 55.6 (50.0–61.3)
a5saN5)H 80–84 146 54.1 (45.9–62.3) 147 73.5 (66.3–80.7)
<8Tp]1z 85–89 50 64.0 (50.2–77.8) 70 80.0 (70.4–89.6)
B!;:,(S~ 90+ 18 72.2 (49.3–95.1) 15 73.3 (48.0–98.7)
i$$h6P# n = number of persons
Vdefgq@< * 95% Confidence Limits
%&VI-7+K Cataract FMioguunrtea i1n ps rEeyvea lSetnucdey in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
!g6=/9 Cataract prevalence in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
7l/lY-zO Mountains Eye Study.
X%znNx 0
H!hd0. 10
bZ:+q1
D 20
cYe2a" 30
,}@4@ >?K 40
&+A78I 50
J$5G8<d> cortical PSC nuclear any
`q*p-Ju' cataract
U^
,! Cataract type
(ER9.k2 %
"4Q_F3?_`
Cross-section I
^BRqsVw9 Cross-section II
q m_m8 BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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iu*&Jz)D> (page number not for citation purposes)
_[rQt
8zn prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery) was
SiaW; ks relatively stable over the 6-year period.
Qk>U=]U Although different population-based studies used different
+
jeOZ grading systems to assess cataract [15], the overall
.I_<\h7 prevalence of the three cataract types were similar across
|4
\2,M# different study populations [12,16-23]. Most studies have
p%sizn suggested that nuclear cataract is the most prevalent type
ok:L]8UN3 of cataract, followed by cortical cataract [16-20]. Ours and
f.^|2T I1g other studies reported that cortical cataract was the most
Sew*0S( prevalent type [12,21-23].
chUYLX}45 Our age-specific prevalence data show a reduction of
U*\K<fw 15.9% in cortical cataract prevalence for the 80–84 year
7=u
Gf$/ age group, concordant with an increase in cataract surgery
-ZSN0Xk prevalence by 9% in those aged 80+ years observed in the
@#N7M2/ same study population [10]. Although cortical cataract is
@MTv4eC}e thought to be the least likely cataract type leading to a cataract
G'}N ?8s1 surgery, this may not be the case in all older persons.
:7"Q A relatively stable cortical cataract and PSC prevalence
(tVT&eO over the 6-year period is expected. We cannot offer a
%Gyn.9\ definitive explanation for the increase in nuclear cataract
6s~B2t:Y prevalence. A possible explanation could be that a moderate
umq6X8K level of nuclear cataract causes less visual disturbance
i.Y2]1 than the other two types of cataract, thus for the oldest age
n-jPb064 groups, persons with nuclear cataract could have been less
<dD!_S6@, likely to have surgery unless it is very dense or co-existing
9{Et v w with cortical cataract or PSC. Previous studies have shown
<7rj,O1= that functional vision and reading performance were high
WrDFbcH in patients undergoing cataract surgery who had nuclear
3~3tjhw;]9 cataract only compared to those with mixed type of cataract
ElB[k< (nuclear and cortical) or PSC [24,25]. In addition, the
=:w,wI. overall prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery)
$6*Yh-"g was similar in the two cross-sections, which appears
jxkQ #Y to support our speculation that in the oldest age group,
B?-w<":! nuclear cataract may have been less likely to be operated
UxHI6,b than the other two types of cataract. This could have
.(cpYKFX
resulted in an increased nuclear cataract prevalence (due
.|go$}Fk to less being operated), compensated by the decreased
Zv9JkY=+@ prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC (due to these being
H.;}%id more likely to be operated), leading to stable overall prevalence
Wj|W B*B of any cataract.
([rn.b] Possible selection bias arising from selective survival
F>#F@j^c among persons without cataract could have led to underestimation
fUWrR1 of cataract prevalence in both surveys. We
zw+wq+2" assume that such an underestimation occurred equally in
A~nqSe both surveys, and thus should not have influenced our
hLZfArq} assessment of temporal changes.
!xR9I0V5 Measurement error could also have partially contributed
9%NsW3| to the observed difference in nuclear cataract prevalence.
Un)Xe Assessment of nuclear cataract from photographs is a
d-Z2-89K potentially subjective process that can be influenced by
\rUKP""m variations in photography (light exposure, focus and the
vI(LIfe; slit-lamp angle when the photograph was taken) and
Myg;2 . grading. Although we used the same Topcon slit-lamp
K{DmMi];I camera and the same two graders who graded photos
ub>:dNBN from both surveys, we are still not able to exclude the possibility
,ps?
@lD of a partial influence from photographic variation
.EHq.cde on this result.
C)yw b6 A similar gender difference (women having a higher rate
>S }X)4 than men) in cortical cataract prevalence was observed in
H6K8. both surveys. Our findings are in keeping with observations
qP;
1LAX from the Beaver Dam Eye Study [18], the Barbados
Lks+FW Eye Study [22] and the Lens Opacities Case-Control
P~!,"rY Group [26]. It has been suggested that the difference
tF/Ni*\^rV could be related to hormonal factors [18,22]. A previous
Oj%5FUP~[% study on biochemical factors and cataract showed that a
T`]%$$1s lower level of iron was associated with an increased risk of
`0U\|I# cortical cataract [27]. No interaction between sex and biochemical
L58H)V3Pn factors were detected and no gender difference
n>eDN\5 was assessed in this study [27]. The gender difference seen
Yh!k uS#< in cortical cataract could be related to relatively low iron
T'lycc4~a levels and low hemoglobin concentration usually seen in
C"5P7F{ women [28]. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cortical
]CcRI|g} Table 3: Gender distribution of cataract types in cross-sections I and II.
lAo ~w Cataract type Gender Cross-section I Cross-section II
W-r^ME n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
V+lS\E. Cortical Male 1496 21.1 (19.0–23.1) 1328 20.4 (18.2–22.6)
8,h!&9 Female 1939 25.9 (23.9–27.8) 1785 26.2 (24.2–28.3)
+Z_VF30pa PSC Male 1500 6.5 (5.2–7.7) 1314 6.4 (5.1–7.7)
H-e$~vEbP Female 1944 6.2 (5.1–7.2) 1753 5.7 (4.6–6.7)
KfVsnL_ Nuclear Male 1106 17.6 (15.4–19.9) 1225 22.5 (20.1–24.8)
b5%<},ySq Female 1395 19.5 (17.4–21.6) 1635 25.0 (22.9–27.1)
Xe:^<$z n = number of persons
-:r<sv$ * 95% Confidence Limits
VR"le&'z" BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 KCZ<#ca^ Page 6 of 7
l+y;>21sTu (page number not for citation purposes)
e#}Fm;|d cataract but in this particular population diabetes is more
x.pg3mVd> prevalent in men than women in all age groups [29]. Differential
jzpDKc% exposures to cataract risk factors or different dietary
`w4'DB-R) or lifestyle patterns between men and women may
(#85<|z also be related to these observations and warrant further
3
.j/D^ study.
F}[!OYyg Conclusion
+zDRed_]=_ In summary, in two population-based surveys 6 years
Qof%j@ apart, we have documented a relatively stable prevalence
2-UD^;0
of cortical cataract and PSC over the period. The observed
>;j&]]-& overall increased nuclear cataract prevalence by 5% over a
m&q0 _nay 6-year period needs confirmation by future studies, and
qW4\t reasons for such an increase deserve further study.
T]/> c Competing interests
:nl,Ac The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.
T?Z&\g0yp Authors' contributions
='1hvv/ AGT graded the photographs, performed literature search
5
"
1wz and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JJW graded the
Hc|cA(9sh9 photographs, critically reviewed and modified the manuscript.
"+&pd!\ ER performed the statistical analysis and critically
>fT%CGLC0 reviewed the manuscript. PM designed and directed the
x)$0Nr62D study, adjudicated cataract cases and critically reviewed
q&6|uV])H and modified the manuscript. All authors read and
/d"@$+ approved the final manuscript.
v}AjW%rB
Acknowledgements
)ryP K"V This study was supported by the Australian National Health & Medical
<ycR/X Research Council, Canberra, Australia (Grant Nos 974159, 991407). The
<|G!Qn?2- abstract was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
pz/W#VN (ARVO) meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 2005.
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