BioMed Central
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,1R: BMC Ophthalmology
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Research article Open Access
C7T}:V](q Comparison of age-specific cataract prevalence in two
#hF(`oX}4K population-based surveys 6 years apart
J'Y;j^ Ava Grace Tan†, Jie Jin Wang*†, Elena Rochtchina† and Paul Mitchell†
<K zEn
+ Address: Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital,
bGe@yXId5 Westmead, NSW, Australia
o0:RsODl Email: Ava Grace Tan -
ava_tan@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Jie Jin Wang* -
jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au;
QNm8`1 Elena Rochtchina -
elena_rochtchina@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Paul Mitchell -
paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au Iju9#b6 * Corresponding author †Equal contributors
I7e.pm Abstract
bE>"DPq Background: In this study, we aimed to compare age-specific cortical, nuclear and posterior
fKOC-%w subcapsular (PSC) cataract prevalence in two surveys 6 years apart.
z6;6 o!ej Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 participants (82.4% of those eligible) in
rki0! P` cross-section I (1992–4) and 3509 participants (75.1% of survivors and 85.2% of newly eligible) in
6>&h9@ cross-section II (1997–2000, 66.5% overlap with cross-section I). Cataract was assessed from lens
Dg
o-Os@ photographs following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Cortical cataract was defined if
1paLxR5 cortical opacity comprised ≥ 5% of lens area. Nuclear cataract was defined if nuclear opacity ≥
Lv m"!! Wisconsin standard 4. PSC was defined if any present. Any cataract was defined to include persons
kqQT^6S who had previous cataract surgery. Weighted kappa for inter-grader reliability was 0.82, 0.55 and
2v?fbrC5c 0.82 for cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract, respectively. We assessed age-specific prevalence using
(rm*KD"] an interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age group were independent between the
5)iOG#8qJ two surveys.
z1S
p'h$ Results: Age and gender distributions were similar between the two populations. The age-specific
N`et]'_A} prevalence of cortical (23.8% in 1st, 23.7% in 2nd) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 6.0%) was similar. The
~kFL[Asnaf prevalence of nuclear cataract increased slightly from 18.7% to 23.9%. After age standardization,
;7E
c'nC4 the similar prevalence of cortical (23.8%, 23.5%) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 5.9%), and the increased
V;29ieE! prevalence of nuclear cataract (18.7%, 24.2%) remained.
U'k 0
; Conclusion: In two surveys of two population-based samples with similar age and gender
M`)/^S9
distributions, we found a relatively stable cortical and PSC cataract prevalence over a 6-year period.
@L?KcGD The increased prevalence of nuclear cataract deserves further study.
RG_.0'5=hc Background
<
\ EJ: Age-related cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual
{2F@OfuCF impairment in older persons [1-6]. In Australia, it is
gE: ?C2 estimated that by the year 2021, the number of people
A~}5T%qb affected by cataract will increase by 63%, due to population
D9h aging [7]. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment
G&
m~W for cataract and normal vision (> 20/40) can usually
=}zSj64 be restored with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
0p]v#z} Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is currently the
Z7XFG&@6 most commonly performed, and is, arguably, the most
@ Fkhida cost effective surgical procedure worldwide. Performance
CorV!H4
Published: 20 April 2006
vb6kr?-i* BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2415-6-17
#/B g5: Received: 14 December 2005
iD*L<9 Accepted: 20 April 2006
YS:p(jtd This article is available from:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 \@[,UZ © 2006 Tan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
$[UUf}7L This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
"+E\os72| which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
)2a)$qx; BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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S5V:H Rj{? (page number not for citation purposes)
9dmoB_G of this surgical procedure has been continuously increasing
-9::M}^2 in the last two decades. Data from the Australian
2VzYP~Jg Health Insurance Commission has shown a steady
q=}1
ud}1 increase in Medicare claims for cataract surgery [8]. A 2.6-
.+,U9e:% fold increase in the total number of cataract procedures
WdH/^QvTP from 1985 to 1994 has been documented in Australia [9].
jD${ZIv The rate of cataract surgery per thousand persons aged 65
L0oVXmlr years or older has doubled in the last 20 years [8,9]. In the
VD<z]@ Blue Mountains Eye Study population, we observed a onethird
/'VbV8% increase in cataract surgery prevalence over a mean
f7y.##W G 6-year interval, from 6% to nearly 8% in two cross-sectional
c_8<N7 C population-based samples with a similar age range
UWidT+'Sa [10]. Further increases in cataract surgery performance
YZ`SF"Bd( would be expected as a result of improved surgical skills
2,wwI<=E' and technique, together with extending cataract surgical
-]+pwZ4g benefits to a greater number of older people and an
Z"RgqNf increased number of persons with surgery performed on
X'-Yz7J?o both eyes.
4hODpIF Both the prevalence and incidence of age-related cataract
yOt#6Vw link directly to the demand for, and the outcome of, cataract
s8)`wH? surgery and eye health care provision. This report
uZZRFioX| aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of cortical
X\/M(byn and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract
.p, VZ9 (PSC) in two cross-sectional population-based
-rn6
ZSD) surveys 6 years apart.
N@L{9ak1 Methods
~7 U~ The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a populationbased
^:]$m;v] cohort study of common eye diseases and other
]jFl?LA%7 health outcomes. The study involved eligible permanent
RQb}t, residents aged 49 years and older, living in two postcode
KVJ,
a areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
? e
p#s$i Participants were identified through a census and were
uO`MA%
z< invited to participate. The study was approved at each
avL_>7q stage of the data collection by the Human Ethics Committees
##*]2Dy of the University of Sydney and the Western Sydney
!~Uj 'w Area Health Service and adhered to the recommendations
ANy*'/f of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent
c&!mKMrk was obtained from each participant.
o[T+/Ej& Details of the methods used in this study have been
~?AEtl#&" described previously [11]. The baseline examinations
{^
b2nOMv (BMES cross-section I) were conducted during 1992–
:t{~Mi=T 1994 and included 3654 (82.4%) of 4433 eligible residents.
<aJQV)]\ Follow-up examinations (BMES IIA) were conducted
/N"3kK,N during 1997–1999, with 2335 (75.0% of BMES
"(^XZAU#W cross section I survivors) participating. A repeat census of
ba);f[> the same area was performed in 1999 and identified 1378
Ve3z5d:^ newly eligible residents who moved into the area or the
&$F<]]& eligible age group. During 1999–2000, 1174 (85.2%) of
l9I r@.m this group participated in an extension study (BMES IIB).
jC9us>b BMES cross-section II thus includes BMES IIA (66.5%)
.h7s
.p? and BMES IIB (33.5%) participants (n = 3509).
$'498%K2 Similar procedures were used for all stages of data collection
s9;6&{@%wO at both surveys. A questionnaire was administered
_1p8(n including demographic, family and medical history. A
!hBpo
n detailed eye examination included subjective refraction,
hm`=wceK slit-lamp (Topcon SL-7e camera, Topcon Optical Co,
:"\,iH Tokyo, Japan) and retroillumination (Neitz CT-R camera,
4Z( #;9f Neitz Instrument Co, Tokyo, Japan) photography of the
N1c=cZDV lens. Grading of lens photographs in the BMES has been
b-&iJ &>' previously described [12]. Briefly, masked grading was
:8A+2ra& performed on the lens photographs using the Wisconsin
Z<-_Y]4j Cataract Grading System [13]. Cortical cataract and PSC
qTd[DaG# were assessed from the retroillumination photographs by
Y%s:oHt estimating the percentage of the circular grid involved.
G*fo9eu5$ Cortical cataract was defined when cortical opacity
z)qYW6o% involved at least 5% of the total lens area. PSC was defined
/ (&E when opacity comprised at least 1% of the total lens area.
$YL9 vJV Slit-lamp photographs were used to assess nuclear cataract
.f\LzZ-I: using the Wisconsin standard set of four lens photographs
t4WB^dHYp [13]. Nuclear cataract was defined when nuclear opacity
!Zz;;Z was at least as great as the standard 4 photograph. Any cataract
t'eqk#rq was defined to include persons who had previous
,=:K&5mCv cataract surgery as well as those with any of three cataract
"|SMRc types. Inter-grader reliability was high, with weighted
k~Ex_2;# kappa 0.82 for cortical cataract, 0.55 (simple kappa 0.75)
=)[m[@,c for nuclear cataract and 0.82 for PSC grading. The intragrader
Jl
Do_} reliability for nuclear cataract was assessed with
-/yqiC-yx simple kappa 0.83 for the senior grader who graded
0#,a#P nuclear cataract at both surveys. All PSC cases were confirmed
3Vb4z
Zsl by an ophthalmologist (PM).
m>@hh#kBg In cross-section I, 219 persons (6.0%) had missing or
)dXa:h0RZ ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3435 with photographs
y+k_&ss available for cortical cataract and PSC assessment,
4CNrIF@ while 1153 (31.6%) had randomly missing or ungradable
t un}rdb Topcon photographs due to a camera malfunction, leaving
~wvt:E,fC 2501 with photographs available for nuclear cataract
sZ.<:mu[ assessment. Comparison of characteristics between participants
~P4C`Q1PT# with and without Neitz or Topcon photographs in
S$6|KY u cross-section I showed no statistically significant differences
o-,."|6
between the two groups, as reported previously
@CMI$}!{V [12]. In cross-section II, 441 persons (12.5%) had missing
a:kAo0@":j or ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3068 for cortical
VF%QM;I[Rc cataract and PSC assessment, and 648 (18.5%) had
|LHJRP-Z missing or ungradable Topcon photographs, leaving 2860
jUe@xis<T for nuclear cataract assessment.
s\*L5{kiSl Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis
iSW2I~PD System (SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Age-adjusted
^QK`z@B prevalence was calculated using direct standardization of
!`69.v the cross-section II population to the cross-section I population.
YagfCi ? We assessed age-specific prevalence using an
]?9*Vr:P^ interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age
mypV
[ group were independent between the two cross-sectional
&i#$ia r surveys.
Y]z
:^D BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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a+ Page 3 of 7
du65=w4E! (page number not for citation purposes)
GO"`{|o Results
mH
o#"tc Characteristics of the two survey populations have been
~q$]iwwqT previously compared [14] and showed that age and sex
Y:^hd809 distributions were similar. Table 1 compares participant
/cjz=r1U> characteristics between the two cross-sections. Cross-section
6h 0qtXn- II participants generally had higher rates of diabetes,
z@*E=B1L hypertension, myopia and more users of inhaled steroids.
`Os=cMR
Cataract prevalence rates in cross-sections I and II are
TI>5g(:3\ shown in Figure 1. The overall prevalence of cortical cataract
$)lkiA&; was 23.8% and 23.7% in cross-sections I and II,
1w,_D.1' respectively (age-sex adjusted P = 0.81). Corresponding
uD\R3cY prevalence of PSC was 6.3% and 6.0% for the two crosssections
W .a>K$ (age-sex adjusted P = 0.60). There was an
#bOv}1,s increased prevalence of nuclear cataract, from 18.7% in
m+QS -woHn cross-section I to 23.9% in cross-section II over the 6-year
^e:z ul{;] period (age-sex adjusted P < 0.001). Prevalence of any cataract
|t,sK aL (including persons who had cataract surgery), however,
(tK_(gO was relatively stable (46.9% and 46.8% in crosssections
-(vHy/Hz. I and II, respectively).
_c5@)I~ After age-standardization, these prevalence rates remained
B=SA
+{o stable for cortical cataract (23.8% and 23.5% in the two
OC! {8MR surveys) and PSC (6.3% and 5.9%). The slightly increased
:;$MUOps prevalence of nuclear cataract (from 18.7% to 24.2%) was
TTf
j5 not altered.
>6es
5}
Table 2 shows the age-specific prevalence rates for cortical
/b+~BvTh cataract, PSC and nuclear cataract in cross-sections I and
rZK
h}E II. A similar trend of increasing cataract prevalence with
O,$*`RZpx increasing age was evident for all three types of cataract in
ak 7% both surveys. Comparing the age-specific prevalence
Y3~Uz#`SU between the two surveys, a reduction in PSC prevalence in
n:AZ(f cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥ 75
'}cSBbl&/n years). In contrast, increased nuclear cataract prevalence
NlYuT+ in cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥
F|%PiC,,qO 70 years). Age-specific cortical cataract prevalence was relatively
b9g2mW
L\T consistent between the two surveys, except for a
FSu
C)Xg reduction in prevalence observed in the 80–84 age group
Z%~}*F}7X and an increasing prevalence in the older age groups (≥ 85
(Mc{nFqS years).
P|NGAd Similar gender differences in cataract prevalence were
l;-2hZ observed in both surveys (Table 3). Higher prevalence of
1^_W[+<S/ cortical and nuclear cataract in women than men was evident
%!` %21 but the difference was only significant for cortical
7mtx^ cataract (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, for women 1.3,
9O
g 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.1–1.5 in cross-section I
QL0q/S1* and OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6 in cross-section II). In con-
%YVPm*J~ Table 1: Participant characteristics.
|AvPg Characteristics Cross-section I Cross-section II
k$=L&id n % n %
7 [e-3 Age (mean) (66.2) (66.7)
:ok.[q 50–54 485 13.3 350 10.0
fhi}x( 55–59 534 14.6 580 16.5
7\@c1e*e
60–64 638 17.5 600 17.1
SX,$$43 65–69 671 18.4 639 18.2
HOi~eX1d 70–74 538 14.7 572 16.3
0MpW!|E[b 75–79 422 11.6 407 11.6
&n*ga$Q 80–84 230 6.3 226 6.4
"]3o933D 85–89 100 2.7 110 3.1
iKq_s5|sW 90+ 36 1.0 24 0.7
u.E>d9 Female 2072 56.7 1998 57.0
0H rvr Ever Smokers 1784 51.2 1789 51.2
;$tdn?| Use of inhaled steroids 370 10.94 478 13.8^
'qV lq5. History of:
p*K #s1 Diabetes 284 7.8 347 9.9^
k8G4CFg}wP Hypertension 1669 46.0 1825 52.2^
!I|_vJ@< Emmetropia* 1558 42.9 1478 42.2
HRT
NIx Myopia* 442 12.2 495 14.1^
^/%o
I;O{ Hyperopia* 1633 45.0 1532 43.7
,3rsjoKhd n = number of persons affected
y%|E z * best spherical equivalent refraction correction
pZ $>Hh# ^ P < 0.01
WiZkIZ BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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]G&[P8hzB t
q'fOlq rast, men had slightly higher PSC prevalence than women
zvN7aG in both cross-sections but the difference was not significant
CUB;0J( (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 for men in cross-section I
[cFD\"gJAr and OR 1.2, 95% 0.9–1.6 in cross-section II).
wo62R&ac Discussion
=2*2$ Findings from two surveys of BMES cross-sectional populations
nUs=PD3) with similar age and gender distribution showed
BZOl&G( that the prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC remained
E*R-Dno_F stable, while the prevalence of nuclear cataract appeared
+dCR$<e9r to have increased. Comparison of age-specific prevalence,
QP"5A7=m with totally independent samples within each age group,
UQ hD8Z'I. confirmed the robustness of our findings from the two
1A93ol=
survey samples. Although lens photographs taken from
<bn|ni|c" the two surveys were graded for nuclear cataract by the
J*ofa> same graders, who documented a high inter- and intragrader
|-v/ reliability, we cannot exclude the possibility that
ZCK#=:ln variations in photography, performed by different photographers,
N f?\O@ may have contributed to the observed difference
q-1vtbn in nuclear cataract prevalence. However, the overall
"1dpv\ Table 2: Age-specific prevalence of cataract types in cross sections I and II.
!#1UTa Cataract type Age (years) Cross-section I Cross-section II
* W
"Pv,: n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
Mu.tq~b > Cortical 50–54 473 4.4 (2.6–6.3) 338 7.4 (4.6–10.2)
$Q|6W &?[; 55–59 522 9.2 (6.7–11.7) 542 9.0 (6.6–11.5)
SA"4|#3>7 60–64 615 16.4 (13.5–19.4) 556 16.7 (13.6–19.8)
)+)qFGVz 65–69 653 26.2 (22.8–29.6) 581 23.6 (20.1–27.0)
zzC{I@b 70–74 516 31.2 (27.2–35.2) 514 35.4 (31.3–39.6)
YY>&R'3[ 75–79 366 40.2 (35.1–45.2) 332 39.8 (34.5–45.1)
u9 *ic~Nh 80–84 194 58.8 (51.8–65.8) 163 42.9 (35.3–50.6)
5a5JOl$8 85–89 74 52.7 (41.1–64.4) 73 54.8 (43.1–66.5)
,S}wOjb@ 90+ 22 68.2 (47.0–89.3) 14 78.6 (54.0–103.2)
'*U_!RmQ PSC 50–54 474 2.7 (1.3–4.2) 338 2.4 (0.7–4.0)
B|>eKI 55–59 522 2.9 (1.4–4.3) 541 2.6 (1.3–3.9)
IQ JFL
+f 60–64 616 4.6 (2.9–6.2) 548 5.7 (3.7–7.6)
U~|)=+%O 65–69 655 6.3 (4.4–8.1) 573 4.5 (2.8–6.3)
ZSwhI@| 70–74 517 6.8 (4.6–8.9) 505 9.7 (7.1–12.3)
(6)|v S 75–79 367 11.4 (8.2–14.7) 327 9.5 (6.3–12.7)
Ngrj@_J 80–84 196 12.2 (7.6–16.9) 155 10.3 (5.5–15.2)
wG 5H^>6u> 85–89 74 18.9 (9.8–28.1) 69 11.6 (3.9–19.4)
4{$ L]toP 90+ 23 21.7 (3.5–40.0) 11 0.0
;P8.U( Nuclear 50–54 323 1.6 (0.2–2.9) 331 0.9 (–0.2–1.9)
Vvn~G.&) 55–59 386 2.3 (0.8–3.8) 507 3.6 (1.9–5.2)
9:!V
":8q 60–64 453 5.3 (3.2–7.4) 501 11.6 (8.8–14.4)
0b=00./o 65–69 478 17.2 (13.8–20.1) 534 18.5 (15.2–21.9)
s_!F`[ 70–74 392 27.6 (23.1–32.0) 453 36.0 (31.6–40.4)
L>`inrpz=w 75–79 255 45.1 (39.0–51.3) 302 55.6 (50.0–61.3)
[xDn=)`{V 80–84 146 54.1 (45.9–62.3) 147 73.5 (66.3–80.7)
|kHzp^S 85–89 50 64.0 (50.2–77.8) 70 80.0 (70.4–89.6)
/7R0w 90+ 18 72.2 (49.3–95.1) 15 73.3 (48.0–98.7)
RHI?_gf& n = number of persons
4g+o/+6!4 * 95% Confidence Limits
<@c9S,@t Cataract FMioguunrtea i1n ps rEeyvea lSetnucdey in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
No'Th7=|S Cataract prevalence in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
kc[<5^b5 Mountains Eye Study.
a/~1CrYr 0
T
mH5+ 10
P9gAt4i 20
\k%j 30
E`q)vk 40
kI
^Pu 50
pq,8z= Uf cortical PSC nuclear any
0w".o!2\U{ cataract
;+~Phdy Cataract type
%Xl(wvd %
t|59/R Cross-section I
`G>BvS5h Cross-section II
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rUBc5@| prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery) was
! ?GW<Rh relatively stable over the 6-year period.
!@f!4n.e|I Although different population-based studies used different
DP
&*P/ grading systems to assess cataract [15], the overall
ByW,YKMy prevalence of the three cataract types were similar across
Nk$OTDwP different study populations [12,16-23]. Most studies have
F t;[>o suggested that nuclear cataract is the most prevalent type
q4KYC!b of cataract, followed by cortical cataract [16-20]. Ours and
]= 9^wS other studies reported that cortical cataract was the most
HhT6gJWrU prevalent type [12,21-23].
x4/f5 Our age-specific prevalence data show a reduction of
+#7)'c 15.9% in cortical cataract prevalence for the 80–84 year
V?-OI> age group, concordant with an increase in cataract surgery
Qr]`flQ8 prevalence by 9% in those aged 80+ years observed in the
, n47.S same study population [10]. Although cortical cataract is
~d&W;mef- thought to be the least likely cataract type leading to a cataract
aF:|MTC(~ surgery, this may not be the case in all older persons.
FSkz[
D_} A relatively stable cortical cataract and PSC prevalence
p7]V1w : over the 6-year period is expected. We cannot offer a
\t%rIr definitive explanation for the increase in nuclear cataract
hD>cxo prevalence. A possible explanation could be that a moderate
;Km74!.e7 level of nuclear cataract causes less visual disturbance
nQ^ c{Bm: than the other two types of cataract, thus for the oldest age
fV5MI[t groups, persons with nuclear cataract could have been less
^Z:qlYZ likely to have surgery unless it is very dense or co-existing
o_on/{qz with cortical cataract or PSC. Previous studies have shown
K_CE.8G&{ that functional vision and reading performance were high
"DU1k6XC in patients undergoing cataract surgery who had nuclear
J=AF`[ cataract only compared to those with mixed type of cataract
NmZowh$M (nuclear and cortical) or PSC [24,25]. In addition, the
NKE,}^C overall prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery)
y-^m was similar in the two cross-sections, which appears
-)$5[jM] to support our speculation that in the oldest age group,
2H2Yxe7? - nuclear cataract may have been less likely to be operated
xjg(}w than the other two types of cataract. This could have
}\/
3B_X6N resulted in an increased nuclear cataract prevalence (due
y#)ad\ to less being operated), compensated by the decreased
db5@+_ prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC (due to these being
M
Qlx&.> more likely to be operated), leading to stable overall prevalence
vZ/Bzy@| of any cataract.
VVDd39q Possible selection bias arising from selective survival
"=3bL>\< among persons without cataract could have led to underestimation
:|PgGhW of cataract prevalence in both surveys. We
dE]yb|Ld assume that such an underestimation occurred equally in
\O(~:KN both surveys, and thus should not have influenced our
PQA}_o assessment of temporal changes.
}>< v7 Measurement error could also have partially contributed
8a,pDE to the observed difference in nuclear cataract prevalence.
IJ#+"(?7,u Assessment of nuclear cataract from photographs is a
d@e2+3< potentially subjective process that can be influenced by
5VhJ*^R`y variations in photography (light exposure, focus and the
o%sx(g=q6 slit-lamp angle when the photograph was taken) and
wC`+^>WFo grading. Although we used the same Topcon slit-lamp
$v0beN6MG camera and the same two graders who graded photos
r0(* ]K:. from both surveys, we are still not able to exclude the possibility
d_aHUmI^" of a partial influence from photographic variation
W 2T6JFv on this result.
x#c%+ A similar gender difference (women having a higher rate
A8U\/GP than men) in cortical cataract prevalence was observed in
/;clxtus both surveys. Our findings are in keeping with observations
(,OF<<OH from the Beaver Dam Eye Study [18], the Barbados
pRH'>}rtuH Eye Study [22] and the Lens Opacities Case-Control
T3,}CK#O Group [26]. It has been suggested that the difference
:hFKmoy# could be related to hormonal factors [18,22]. A previous
w:c9Z=KX study on biochemical factors and cataract showed that a
~>B`T%=H lower level of iron was associated with an increased risk of
6'45c1e cortical cataract [27]. No interaction between sex and biochemical
br%l>Y\" factors were detected and no gender difference
!yo@i_1D was assessed in this study [27]. The gender difference seen
"< })X.t in cortical cataract could be related to relatively low iron
*~0U4kw+ levels and low hemoglobin concentration usually seen in
_bn
"c@s women [28]. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cortical
e6gLYhf& Table 3: Gender distribution of cataract types in cross-sections I and II.
hI 1or4V Cataract type Gender Cross-section I Cross-section II
TX).*%f[r n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
9Yd"Y- Cortical Male 1496 21.1 (19.0–23.1) 1328 20.4 (18.2–22.6)
:JIJ!Xn) Female 1939 25.9 (23.9–27.8) 1785 26.2 (24.2–28.3)
<rx
tdI"3 PSC Male 1500 6.5 (5.2–7.7) 1314 6.4 (5.1–7.7)
)f,9 h Female 1944 6.2 (5.1–7.2) 1753 5.7 (4.6–6.7)
apZPHau6h Nuclear Male 1106 17.6 (15.4–19.9) 1225 22.5 (20.1–24.8)
z)Lw\H^/ Female 1395 19.5 (17.4–21.6) 1635 25.0 (22.9–27.1)
)fQ1U n = number of persons
Y49&EQ * 95% Confidence Limits
$i@I|y/ BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 i
2+_~$f Page 6 of 7
n?*r,
)' (page number not for citation purposes)
'P)c'uqd# cataract but in this particular population diabetes is more
NG_7jZzXA9 prevalent in men than women in all age groups [29]. Differential
xVk5% exposures to cataract risk factors or different dietary
`BVXF#sb or lifestyle patterns between men and women may
0.)q5B` also be related to these observations and warrant further
0<93i study.
:!Nx'F9a Conclusion
u|LDN*#DW In summary, in two population-based surveys 6 years
% {-r'Yi% apart, we have documented a relatively stable prevalence
5W0s9yD of cortical cataract and PSC over the period. The observed
_y&XFdp overall increased nuclear cataract prevalence by 5% over a
?dPr HSy 6-year period needs confirmation by future studies, and
[&g"Z" reasons for such an increase deserve further study.
_F8THYg ( Competing interests
/DjsnU~3 The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.
Kq5i8L=u Authors' contributions
}?o4MiLB AGT graded the photographs, performed literature search
W-*HAS and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JJW graded the
XFYa+]B2q photographs, critically reviewed and modified the manuscript.
[(eX\kL ER performed the statistical analysis and critically
1tLEKSo+ reviewed the manuscript. PM designed and directed the
S+"Bq:u" study, adjudicated cataract cases and critically reviewed
Gu@C*.jj! and modified the manuscript. All authors read and
\t5_V)P approved the final manuscript.
Ii&p
v Acknowledgements
hw.>HT|.N This study was supported by the Australian National Health & Medical
>bd@2au9! Research Council, Canberra, Australia (Grant Nos 974159, 991407). The
y+Hz(}4 abstract was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
S}a]Bt (ARVO) meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 2005.
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