BioMed Central
OcIJT1 Page 1 of 7
`Y$LXF~,Om (page number not for citation purposes)
Z*kg= hs^ BMC Ophthalmology
OyTBgS G?a Research article Open Access
69CH W & Comparison of age-specific cataract prevalence in two
J9>uLz population-based surveys 6 years apart
<5q:mG88 Ava Grace Tan†, Jie Jin Wang*†, Elena Rochtchina† and Paul Mitchell†
9jJ&QACn
Address: Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital,
{n|Ra[9_ Westmead, NSW, Australia
Mi:$<fEX Email: Ava Grace Tan -
ava_tan@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Jie Jin Wang* -
jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au;
+tl TH
K Elena Rochtchina -
elena_rochtchina@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Paul Mitchell -
paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au Elm/T]6 * Corresponding author †Equal contributors
a^~l[HSF Abstract
Gu&zplB Background: In this study, we aimed to compare age-specific cortical, nuclear and posterior
{:'eH subcapsular (PSC) cataract prevalence in two surveys 6 years apart.
<Gs)~T#' Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 participants (82.4% of those eligible) in
=V%s^ cross-section I (1992–4) and 3509 participants (75.1% of survivors and 85.2% of newly eligible) in
&Zq43~ cross-section II (1997–2000, 66.5% overlap with cross-section I). Cataract was assessed from lens
/GfC/)1_ photographs following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Cortical cataract was defined if
64`V+Hd cortical opacity comprised ≥ 5% of lens area. Nuclear cataract was defined if nuclear opacity ≥
xZbm,.v Wisconsin standard 4. PSC was defined if any present. Any cataract was defined to include persons
)2
u=U9 who had previous cataract surgery. Weighted kappa for inter-grader reliability was 0.82, 0.55 and
=f=MtH?0y 0.82 for cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract, respectively. We assessed age-specific prevalence using
|.)dOk,o an interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age group were independent between the
wD}[XE?S two surveys.
~kw[Aw3?D\ Results: Age and gender distributions were similar between the two populations. The age-specific
4vGkg
H<, prevalence of cortical (23.8% in 1st, 23.7% in 2nd) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 6.0%) was similar. The
V5%B,.d: prevalence of nuclear cataract increased slightly from 18.7% to 23.9%. After age standardization,
i
wQ'=M the similar prevalence of cortical (23.8%, 23.5%) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 5.9%), and the increased
Ah)_mxK prevalence of nuclear cataract (18.7%, 24.2%) remained.
l 0jjLqm: Conclusion: In two surveys of two population-based samples with similar age and gender
;' YM@n distributions, we found a relatively stable cortical and PSC cataract prevalence over a 6-year period.
>mi%L3Pk The increased prevalence of nuclear cataract deserves further study.
fQ'P2$ Background
,]42v? Age-related cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual
bu,Z' impairment in older persons [1-6]. In Australia, it is
lmo>z'< estimated that by the year 2021, the number of people
&tkkn2t affected by cataract will increase by 63%, due to population
-Q<3Q_ aging [7]. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment
o5@
l!NQ for cataract and normal vision (> 20/40) can usually
!2>gC"$nv be restored with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
<RKh%4#~ Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is currently the
=YR/X@& most commonly performed, and is, arguably, the most
"=MRzSke3 cost effective surgical procedure worldwide. Performance
dNB56E)5`J Published: 20 April 2006
#K yb9Qg BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2415-6-17
%1 9TJn%J$ Received: 14 December 2005
%($sj|_l Accepted: 20 April 2006
#E3Y;
b%v This article is available from:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 9(dbou © 2006 Tan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
RM|<(kq This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
5Y"JRWC which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
X8~cWW BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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ff**) Xdh (page number not for citation purposes)
H5j~<@STC of this surgical procedure has been continuously increasing
osB[KRT>(" in the last two decades. Data from the Australian
cfyN)#9 Health Insurance Commission has shown a steady
4E}]> increase in Medicare claims for cataract surgery [8]. A 2.6-
)f>s\T fold increase in the total number of cataract procedures
zHw[`"[ from 1985 to 1994 has been documented in Australia [9].
RcitW;{|Kg The rate of cataract surgery per thousand persons aged 65
/m%i"kki years or older has doubled in the last 20 years [8,9]. In the
m/r4f279 Blue Mountains Eye Study population, we observed a onethird
Sp: `Z1kH increase in cataract surgery prevalence over a mean
a]|P rjPI 6-year interval, from 6% to nearly 8% in two cross-sectional
t5G@M&d4Eo population-based samples with a similar age range
#8z2>&:| [10]. Further increases in cataract surgery performance
!>W _3Ea would be expected as a result of improved surgical skills
g|tnYN and technique, together with extending cataract surgical
B v/]>Z benefits to a greater number of older people and an
%?1k}(qUeY increased number of persons with surgery performed on
[vV]lWOp' both eyes.
M^DYzJ Both the prevalence and incidence of age-related cataract
+K,]#$k link directly to the demand for, and the outcome of, cataract
`O ?61YUQH surgery and eye health care provision. This report
422d4Zu aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of cortical
'+LC.l M and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract
{>'GE16x (PSC) in two cross-sectional population-based
>u?
pq6; surveys 6 years apart.
8%q:lI Methods
60(j[d-$p The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a populationbased
E9JxntX cohort study of common eye diseases and other
[Zc8tE2oN health outcomes. The study involved eligible permanent
N#
$ob9 residents aged 49 years and older, living in two postcode
aGY R:jR$ areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
_3v6c Participants were identified through a census and were
J3`a}LyDf invited to participate. The study was approved at each
5nC#<EE stage of the data collection by the Human Ethics Committees
%X)w$}WH of the University of Sydney and the Western Sydney
xe9E</M_ Area Health Service and adhered to the recommendations
=Ji+GJ<,9 of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent
,`kag~bZ was obtained from each participant.
t+7|/GLs2 Details of the methods used in this study have been
|hHj7X<?k described previously [11]. The baseline examinations
n$]78\C (BMES cross-section I) were conducted during 1992–
R.nAD{>h* 1994 and included 3654 (82.4%) of 4433 eligible residents.
$=&a0O# Follow-up examinations (BMES IIA) were conducted
!j8.JP}!) during 1997–1999, with 2335 (75.0% of BMES
r:rM~`` cross section I survivors) participating. A repeat census of
{yj8LxX^ the same area was performed in 1999 and identified 1378
&|6 A
8, newly eligible residents who moved into the area or the
?xkw~3Yfi eligible age group. During 1999–2000, 1174 (85.2%) of
NJ%>|`FEi7 this group participated in an extension study (BMES IIB).
LsW7JIQd BMES cross-section II thus includes BMES IIA (66.5%)
^~dBO%M^ and BMES IIB (33.5%) participants (n = 3509).
`LroH>_ Similar procedures were used for all stages of data collection
VK)vb.: at both surveys. A questionnaire was administered
kJP`C\4}f including demographic, family and medical history. A
3haR/YN detailed eye examination included subjective refraction,
=qWcw7!" slit-lamp (Topcon SL-7e camera, Topcon Optical Co,
m[>pv1o Tokyo, Japan) and retroillumination (Neitz CT-R camera,
p+.xye U( Neitz Instrument Co, Tokyo, Japan) photography of the
EOj.Jrs~ lens. Grading of lens photographs in the BMES has been
D(X:dB50@ previously described [12]. Briefly, masked grading was
jx=5
E6(h performed on the lens photographs using the Wisconsin
)(/Bw&$ Cataract Grading System [13]. Cortical cataract and PSC
6?`3zdOeO were assessed from the retroillumination photographs by
, tEd> estimating the percentage of the circular grid involved.
f,(@K% Cortical cataract was defined when cortical opacity
0F5QAR
O involved at least 5% of the total lens area. PSC was defined
y 1I(^<qO= when opacity comprised at least 1% of the total lens area.
F'^y?UP[ Slit-lamp photographs were used to assess nuclear cataract
kJ_XG;8 using the Wisconsin standard set of four lens photographs
hpBn_ [13]. Nuclear cataract was defined when nuclear opacity
Hw\hTTK was at least as great as the standard 4 photograph. Any cataract
eZbT; was defined to include persons who had previous
_8{6&AmIw cataract surgery as well as those with any of three cataract
3E$h
W types. Inter-grader reliability was high, with weighted
G0mvrc-
( kappa 0.82 for cortical cataract, 0.55 (simple kappa 0.75)
8(@Y@`/ for nuclear cataract and 0.82 for PSC grading. The intragrader
3bK=Q3N reliability for nuclear cataract was assessed with
5M=
S7B3= simple kappa 0.83 for the senior grader who graded
k%K\~U8" nuclear cataract at both surveys. All PSC cases were confirmed
#
n\|Q\W by an ophthalmologist (PM).
+9NI=s6 In cross-section I, 219 persons (6.0%) had missing or
jlM%Y
ZC ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3435 with photographs
BnPL>11Y available for cortical cataract and PSC assessment,
+V,Ld&r while 1153 (31.6%) had randomly missing or ungradable
<=gf|( Topcon photographs due to a camera malfunction, leaving
;yDXo\g
m 2501 with photographs available for nuclear cataract
Y}hz UKJ assessment. Comparison of characteristics between participants
<xaB$}R with and without Neitz or Topcon photographs in
EWp'zbWP cross-section I showed no statistically significant differences
rT!9{uK between the two groups, as reported previously
kT,2eel [12]. In cross-section II, 441 persons (12.5%) had missing
^SJa/I EZ. or ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3068 for cortical
InfUH8./t cataract and PSC assessment, and 648 (18.5%) had
>YP
]IQ missing or ungradable Topcon photographs, leaving 2860
1Jn:
huV2 for nuclear cataract assessment.
%q5iy0~P Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis
ba"a!#wA System (SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Age-adjusted
8+U':xR prevalence was calculated using direct standardization of
K0\Wty0 the cross-section II population to the cross-section I population.
^`Qh*:T$ We assessed age-specific prevalence using an
x|IG'R1:Y interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age
pgU4>tyD group were independent between the two cross-sectional
,';+A{aV surveys.
_=oNQ BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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26\*x Results
ne\N1`AU Characteristics of the two survey populations have been
B\a#Vtyut previously compared [14] and showed that age and sex
QWWoj[d# distributions were similar. Table 1 compares participant
h8uDs|O9n characteristics between the two cross-sections. Cross-section
BA+:}81&<q II participants generally had higher rates of diabetes,
-?Aa RwZ, hypertension, myopia and more users of inhaled steroids.
3((53@s98 Cataract prevalence rates in cross-sections I and II are
B(%b
Bhs shown in Figure 1. The overall prevalence of cortical cataract
.cX,"2;n was 23.8% and 23.7% in cross-sections I and II,
sP NAG
respectively (age-sex adjusted P = 0.81). Corresponding
jn;b{*Lf prevalence of PSC was 6.3% and 6.0% for the two crosssections
7F{=bL (age-sex adjusted P = 0.60). There was an
]m(5>h# increased prevalence of nuclear cataract, from 18.7% in
>MIp r cross-section I to 23.9% in cross-section II over the 6-year
m'%Z53& period (age-sex adjusted P < 0.001). Prevalence of any cataract
r,4V SyZF\ (including persons who had cataract surgery), however,
jdY v*/^ was relatively stable (46.9% and 46.8% in crosssections
)>LC*_v I and II, respectively).
{&c%VVZb:Z After age-standardization, these prevalence rates remained
,b@0Qa" stable for cortical cataract (23.8% and 23.5% in the two
NB&u^8b surveys) and PSC (6.3% and 5.9%). The slightly increased
*X;g
Y prevalence of nuclear cataract (from 18.7% to 24.2%) was
"A:wWb<
m not altered.
LE Y Y{G? Table 2 shows the age-specific prevalence rates for cortical
Ac.z6]p cataract, PSC and nuclear cataract in cross-sections I and
<][|,9mw II. A similar trend of increasing cataract prevalence with
7q|(ZZa increasing age was evident for all three types of cataract in
7@vcQv
kC both surveys. Comparing the age-specific prevalence
r\[HR ^` between the two surveys, a reduction in PSC prevalence in
U&
Ay3/ cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥ 75
EW4XFP4
c years). In contrast, increased nuclear cataract prevalence
&nn.h@zje in cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥
(p14{ 70 years). Age-specific cortical cataract prevalence was relatively
;g
m){ g consistent between the two surveys, except for a
{=g-zsc]K reduction in prevalence observed in the 80–84 age group
v:6b&wSL3 and an increasing prevalence in the older age groups (≥ 85
C
[2tH2*# years).
ydns_Z Similar gender differences in cataract prevalence were
Op%^dwVG(v observed in both surveys (Table 3). Higher prevalence of
KH
KqE6 cortical and nuclear cataract in women than men was evident
N%B#f\N but the difference was only significant for cortical
Uero!+_ cataract (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, for women 1.3,
n1ED _9 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.1–1.5 in cross-section I
<01B\t7 and OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6 in cross-section II). In con-
<![T~<. Table 1: Participant characteristics.
v}_$9&|S Characteristics Cross-section I Cross-section II
THua?,oyW n % n %
./g0T{& Age (mean) (66.2) (66.7)
0"QE,pLe4 50–54 485 13.3 350 10.0
m&q;.|W 55–59 534 14.6 580 16.5
+Xp;T`,v 60–64 638 17.5 600 17.1
6bGD8; 65–69 671 18.4 639 18.2
,7(/Il
9 70–74 538 14.7 572 16.3
l 3K8{HY 75–79 422 11.6 407 11.6
b{rmxtx 80–84 230 6.3 226 6.4
,lnuu 85–89 100 2.7 110 3.1
$ZRN#x@ 90+ 36 1.0 24 0.7
t}7wRTG Female 2072 56.7 1998 57.0
~^S- Ever Smokers 1784 51.2 1789 51.2
qM0MSwvC= Use of inhaled steroids 370 10.94 478 13.8^
ECScx02 History of:
EVFfXv^ Diabetes 284 7.8 347 9.9^
2YKM9Ks Hypertension 1669 46.0 1825 52.2^
fhmr*E'J Emmetropia* 1558 42.9 1478 42.2
.;b>
T Myopia* 442 12.2 495 14.1^
hYn'uL^~[ Hyperopia* 1633 45.0 1532 43.7
VK;x6*Y n = number of persons affected
@<G/H|f * best spherical equivalent refraction correction
Wts{tb ^ P < 0.01
(NdgF+'= BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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fWyDWU (page number not for citation purposes)
iyYY)roB t
P|4E1O rast, men had slightly higher PSC prevalence than women
^Nw]'e3 in both cross-sections but the difference was not significant
N[bN"'U/1 (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 for men in cross-section I
rR@n>
Xx and OR 1.2, 95% 0.9–1.6 in cross-section II).
*\KMkx Discussion
\GvY`kt3 Findings from two surveys of BMES cross-sectional populations
`E=rh3 L0o with similar age and gender distribution showed
xm|4\H&Bg that the prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC remained
'c0'P%[5A stable, while the prevalence of nuclear cataract appeared
SU
O; to have increased. Comparison of age-specific prevalence,
yvWzc
uL# with totally independent samples within each age group,
BhW]Oq& confirmed the robustness of our findings from the two
;"Y;l=9_ survey samples. Although lens photographs taken from
8EG8!,\I the two surveys were graded for nuclear cataract by the
3>9 dJx4I same graders, who documented a high inter- and intragrader
mK40 f reliability, we cannot exclude the possibility that
s.;KVy,=Bu variations in photography, performed by different photographers,
qH%L"J may have contributed to the observed difference
.8qzU47E in nuclear cataract prevalence. However, the overall
92aDHECo Table 2: Age-specific prevalence of cataract types in cross sections I and II.
K-5"# Cataract type Age (years) Cross-section I Cross-section II
B N*,!fx n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
_`@Xy!Ye Cortical 50–54 473 4.4 (2.6–6.3) 338 7.4 (4.6–10.2)
jaO#><f 55–59 522 9.2 (6.7–11.7) 542 9.0 (6.6–11.5)
K~Au?\{
60–64 615 16.4 (13.5–19.4) 556 16.7 (13.6–19.8)
?Y0$X>nm 65–69 653 26.2 (22.8–29.6) 581 23.6 (20.1–27.0)
}8V;s-1 70–74 516 31.2 (27.2–35.2) 514 35.4 (31.3–39.6)
W|H4i;u 75–79 366 40.2 (35.1–45.2) 332 39.8 (34.5–45.1)
FJjF*2 . 80–84 194 58.8 (51.8–65.8) 163 42.9 (35.3–50.6)
TtwJ,&b 85–89 74 52.7 (41.1–64.4) 73 54.8 (43.1–66.5)
&FJU%tFA 90+ 22 68.2 (47.0–89.3) 14 78.6 (54.0–103.2)
P96Cw~<Q? PSC 50–54 474 2.7 (1.3–4.2) 338 2.4 (0.7–4.0)
y13CR2t6 55–59 522 2.9 (1.4–4.3) 541 2.6 (1.3–3.9)
!QQ<Ai!E 60–64 616 4.6 (2.9–6.2) 548 5.7 (3.7–7.6)
.}$`+h8WT 65–69 655 6.3 (4.4–8.1) 573 4.5 (2.8–6.3)
Pzk[^z$C 70–74 517 6.8 (4.6–8.9) 505 9.7 (7.1–12.3)
@dE 3 75–79 367 11.4 (8.2–14.7) 327 9.5 (6.3–12.7)
OP|.I._I 80–84 196 12.2 (7.6–16.9) 155 10.3 (5.5–15.2)
8V=HyF# 85–89 74 18.9 (9.8–28.1) 69 11.6 (3.9–19.4)
[al(>Wr9 90+ 23 21.7 (3.5–40.0) 11 0.0
Y uw
E 0 Nuclear 50–54 323 1.6 (0.2–2.9) 331 0.9 (–0.2–1.9)
L_
Xn
, 55–59 386 2.3 (0.8–3.8) 507 3.6 (1.9–5.2)
GFQG(7G9 60–64 453 5.3 (3.2–7.4) 501 11.6 (8.8–14.4)
[NCXn>Z 65–69 478 17.2 (13.8–20.1) 534 18.5 (15.2–21.9)
s]F?=yEp 70–74 392 27.6 (23.1–32.0) 453 36.0 (31.6–40.4)
[.#p 75–79 255 45.1 (39.0–51.3) 302 55.6 (50.0–61.3)
{p#l!P/ 80–84 146 54.1 (45.9–62.3) 147 73.5 (66.3–80.7)
H;TOPtt2 85–89 50 64.0 (50.2–77.8) 70 80.0 (70.4–89.6)
gfdPx:7^ 90+ 18 72.2 (49.3–95.1) 15 73.3 (48.0–98.7)
'
FPcAW^8 n = number of persons
=A0"0D{\ * 95% Confidence Limits
xP{H
jONu Cataract FMioguunrtea i1n ps rEeyvea lSetnucdey in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
mc0sdb,c$ Cataract prevalence in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
nJldz; Mountains Eye Study.
.\ ;l-U 0
L;.VEz! 10
c]s(u+i 20
B&%L`v2[ 30
@MN}^umx` 40
*tTP8ZCQ[ 50
2p$n*|T&c cortical PSC nuclear any
.KT 7le<Zm cataract
k8InbX[ Cataract type
{+
@ms$z %
7.7Cluh5, Cross-section I
$?]@_= Cross-section II
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oJlN.Q#u& (page number not for citation purposes)
~=`f]IL prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery) was
G
]L0eV relatively stable over the 6-year period.
cwH,l$ Although different population-based studies used different
ppwd-^f3j grading systems to assess cataract [15], the overall
>VRo|o<D prevalence of the three cataract types were similar across
4'+d"Ok different study populations [12,16-23]. Most studies have
0=N4O!X9 suggested that nuclear cataract is the most prevalent type
'P@=/ of cataract, followed by cortical cataract [16-20]. Ours and
w"fCI13 other studies reported that cortical cataract was the most
a6;gBoV prevalent type [12,21-23].
v
t^r1j Our age-specific prevalence data show a reduction of
q1N4X7<_ 15.9% in cortical cataract prevalence for the 80–84 year
Q9`s_4 age group, concordant with an increase in cataract surgery
L\QQjI{
prevalence by 9% in those aged 80+ years observed in the
rER~P
\- same study population [10]. Although cortical cataract is
B"~U<6s0 thought to be the least likely cataract type leading to a cataract
Y Eg
. surgery, this may not be the case in all older persons.
y.jS{r". A relatively stable cortical cataract and PSC prevalence
RM)1*l`!E over the 6-year period is expected. We cannot offer a
Sv.KI{;v$ definitive explanation for the increase in nuclear cataract
M
NkKy(Za prevalence. A possible explanation could be that a moderate
WEno+Z~=1' level of nuclear cataract causes less visual disturbance
R|/Wz/$1A than the other two types of cataract, thus for the oldest age
Z$Z`@&U= groups, persons with nuclear cataract could have been less
].LJt['%8 likely to have surgery unless it is very dense or co-existing
DG_}9M!DW@ with cortical cataract or PSC. Previous studies have shown
#N; $ that functional vision and reading performance were high
4+)Zk$E in patients undergoing cataract surgery who had nuclear
|p;4dL cataract only compared to those with mixed type of cataract
#]"/{Z (nuclear and cortical) or PSC [24,25]. In addition, the
!>\9t9 overall prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery)
ty':`) was similar in the two cross-sections, which appears
O ,l\e3; to support our speculation that in the oldest age group,
i"/ r)>"b nuclear cataract may have been less likely to be operated
H1Q''$}Z. than the other two types of cataract. This could have
IT,"8s resulted in an increased nuclear cataract prevalence (due
SzRL}}I to less being operated), compensated by the decreased
k
9cK bf@ prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC (due to these being
6!@0VI&P more likely to be operated), leading to stable overall prevalence
*8/VSs of any cataract.
b S,etd Possible selection bias arising from selective survival
|n)<4%i8J among persons without cataract could have led to underestimation
61G|?Aax of cataract prevalence in both surveys. We
JW-|<CJ assume that such an underestimation occurred equally in
"=
FIFf both surveys, and thus should not have influenced our
u]R$]&< assessment of temporal changes.
av$ Measurement error could also have partially contributed
iL+y(] to the observed difference in nuclear cataract prevalence.
P7'M],!9w Assessment of nuclear cataract from photographs is a
{Wh BoD potentially subjective process that can be influenced by
y!F:m=x< variations in photography (light exposure, focus and the
f]c<9Q>* slit-lamp angle when the photograph was taken) and
D_Guc8* grading. Although we used the same Topcon slit-lamp
Ny]lvgu9X camera and the same two graders who graded photos
FbmsN)mv!% from both surveys, we are still not able to exclude the possibility
f0OgK<.>T of a partial influence from photographic variation
KLW&bJ$|j on this result.
(VEp~BW@-R A similar gender difference (women having a higher rate
(,shiK[5f than men) in cortical cataract prevalence was observed in
'g2vX&=$A both surveys. Our findings are in keeping with observations
,^HS`!s[ E from the Beaver Dam Eye Study [18], the Barbados
&"xQ~05
Eye Study [22] and the Lens Opacities Case-Control
?H<~ac2e Group [26]. It has been suggested that the difference
PF m\[2 could be related to hormonal factors [18,22]. A previous
3Mur*tj# study on biochemical factors and cataract showed that a
v O PMgEI lower level of iron was associated with an increased risk of
Qd?CTYNsv cortical cataract [27]. No interaction between sex and biochemical
- {0g#G factors were detected and no gender difference
YlrB@mE0n$ was assessed in this study [27]. The gender difference seen
8sH50jeP in cortical cataract could be related to relatively low iron
]
;&"1A levels and low hemoglobin concentration usually seen in
JS PW>W" women [28]. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cortical
Tn /Ut}]O Table 3: Gender distribution of cataract types in cross-sections I and II.
r
3|4gG Cataract type Gender Cross-section I Cross-section II
%OEq,Tb n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
x_k S
g Cortical Male 1496 21.1 (19.0–23.1) 1328 20.4 (18.2–22.6)
Hk~k@Wft Female 1939 25.9 (23.9–27.8) 1785 26.2 (24.2–28.3)
Vcr VaBw PSC Male 1500 6.5 (5.2–7.7) 1314 6.4 (5.1–7.7)
<>n9
'i1 Female 1944 6.2 (5.1–7.2) 1753 5.7 (4.6–6.7)
?d~]Wd !z Nuclear Male 1106 17.6 (15.4–19.9) 1225 22.5 (20.1–24.8)
8ZW?|-i Female 1395 19.5 (17.4–21.6) 1635 25.0 (22.9–27.1)
(uRZxX n = number of persons
qfa}3k8et * 95% Confidence Limits
P2t_T'R} BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 )d:K:YXt Page 6 of 7
p&\K9hfi (page number not for citation purposes)
K0oFPDJN cataract but in this particular population diabetes is more
Fe5jdV< prevalent in men than women in all age groups [29]. Differential
G0pBR]_5z$ exposures to cataract risk factors or different dietary
-p]>Be+^x or lifestyle patterns between men and women may
c_Tzyh7l4 also be related to these observations and warrant further
BJgDo study.
<}]{~y Conclusion
rw]yKH In summary, in two population-based surveys 6 years
Za0gs @$ apart, we have documented a relatively stable prevalence
0E1=W6UZ of cortical cataract and PSC over the period. The observed
Je@k iE overall increased nuclear cataract prevalence by 5% over a
!LiQ 1`V{ 6-year period needs confirmation by future studies, and
EX+,:l\^ reasons for such an increase deserve further study.
<6R"h
-u" Competing interests
GG+5/hU The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.
y1#O%=g Authors' contributions
79wLT\& AGT graded the photographs, performed literature search
4w;~4#ZPp and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JJW graded the
cQn)^jx= photographs, critically reviewed and modified the manuscript.
"wINBya'M ER performed the statistical analysis and critically
A0>x9 XSkJ reviewed the manuscript. PM designed and directed the
)88nMH- study, adjudicated cataract cases and critically reviewed
0bSz4<} and modified the manuscript. All authors read and
3~<}bee5|q approved the final manuscript.
G0/>8_Q>Nr Acknowledgements
^j=bObaX This study was supported by the Australian National Health & Medical
dyO E6Ex Research Council, Canberra, Australia (Grant Nos 974159, 991407). The
@)b^^Fp abstract was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
r.<JDdj (ARVO) meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 2005.
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