BioMed Central
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M;-PrJdyt BMC Ophthalmology
UM3}7| Research article Open Access
SwXVa/9a" Comparison of age-specific cataract prevalence in two
6 -N 442 population-based surveys 6 years apart
Rcc9Tx(zvQ Ava Grace Tan†, Jie Jin Wang*†, Elena Rochtchina† and Paul Mitchell†
l|
j Address: Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital,
O,x[6P54P Westmead, NSW, Australia
Vo"Wr>F Email: Ava Grace Tan -
ava_tan@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Jie Jin Wang* -
jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au;
l1l=52r Elena Rochtchina -
elena_rochtchina@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Paul Mitchell -
paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au ]{s0/(EA * Corresponding author †Equal contributors
Qzt'ZK Abstract
_Dr9 w&;< Background: In this study, we aimed to compare age-specific cortical, nuclear and posterior
3K!(/,` subcapsular (PSC) cataract prevalence in two surveys 6 years apart.
OD]`
oJ| Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 participants (82.4% of those eligible) in
X6*4IE cross-section I (1992–4) and 3509 participants (75.1% of survivors and 85.2% of newly eligible) in
g[';1}/B4 cross-section II (1997–2000, 66.5% overlap with cross-section I). Cataract was assessed from lens
/W9(}Id6 photographs following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Cortical cataract was defined if
ti'B}bH>' cortical opacity comprised ≥ 5% of lens area. Nuclear cataract was defined if nuclear opacity ≥
%;_94!(hC Wisconsin standard 4. PSC was defined if any present. Any cataract was defined to include persons
cD6S;PSg who had previous cataract surgery. Weighted kappa for inter-grader reliability was 0.82, 0.55 and
@Q
teC@k 0.82 for cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract, respectively. We assessed age-specific prevalence using
l0 =[MXM4 an interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age group were independent between the
s|I
Y
t^ two surveys.
_Ne fzZWUJ Results: Age and gender distributions were similar between the two populations. The age-specific
hh8Grl; prevalence of cortical (23.8% in 1st, 23.7% in 2nd) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 6.0%) was similar. The
;NU-\<Q{ prevalence of nuclear cataract increased slightly from 18.7% to 23.9%. After age standardization,
o1`\*]A7J the similar prevalence of cortical (23.8%, 23.5%) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 5.9%), and the increased
aD]!
eP/) prevalence of nuclear cataract (18.7%, 24.2%) remained.
i/j53towe Conclusion: In two surveys of two population-based samples with similar age and gender
Z<^;Ybw{`Z distributions, we found a relatively stable cortical and PSC cataract prevalence over a 6-year period.
HS[($ The increased prevalence of nuclear cataract deserves further study.
vd?Bk_d9k, Background
.7]P-]uOZ Age-related cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual
H2H`7 +I, impairment in older persons [1-6]. In Australia, it is
,qx^D estimated that by the year 2021, the number of people
o^XDG^35` affected by cataract will increase by 63%, due to population
85YUqVi9 aging [7]. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment
gk6UV2nE? for cataract and normal vision (> 20/40) can usually
8Qo'[+4; be restored with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
`^52IkM) Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is currently the
D|)
a7_ most commonly performed, and is, arguably, the most
%xN${4)6 cost effective surgical procedure worldwide. Performance
|>yWkq
Published: 20 April 2006
')U~a BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2415-6-17
!!A0K"h Received: 14 December 2005
V(_1q Accepted: 20 April 2006
y(o)}m*0 This article is available from:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 RN[I%^$" © 2006 Tan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Keozn*fzI This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
;
xZjt4M1 which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
8q@Z BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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0V4B Q:v of this surgical procedure has been continuously increasing
.E<nQWz8 in the last two decades. Data from the Australian
fes s6=k Health Insurance Commission has shown a steady
G
5;6q increase in Medicare claims for cataract surgery [8]. A 2.6-
3''Sx8p fold increase in the total number of cataract procedures
h q)1YO from 1985 to 1994 has been documented in Australia [9].
ZEAUoC1E1 The rate of cataract surgery per thousand persons aged 65
;f=m+QXU years or older has doubled in the last 20 years [8,9]. In the
j{@6y Blue Mountains Eye Study population, we observed a onethird
d~Z\%4 increase in cataract surgery prevalence over a mean
f#\YX
tR,k 6-year interval, from 6% to nearly 8% in two cross-sectional
l~6K}g? population-based samples with a similar age range
KwuucY [10]. Further increases in cataract surgery performance
]mTBD<3\ would be expected as a result of improved surgical skills
>Icr4?zq and technique, together with extending cataract surgical
|_V(^b} benefits to a greater number of older people and an
VPe0\?!d increased number of persons with surgery performed on
=l/6-j^ both eyes.
s/E|Z1pg3 Both the prevalence and incidence of age-related cataract
v1.3gzR link directly to the demand for, and the outcome of, cataract
JE=t
e(a surgery and eye health care provision. This report
.Q{RTp aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of cortical
|eqBCZn and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract
^[M{s(b (PSC) in two cross-sectional population-based
*doNPp)m surveys 6 years apart.
nHseA Methods
.ZpOYhk The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a populationbased
M:S-%aQ_<y cohort study of common eye diseases and other
J ^'El^F health outcomes. The study involved eligible permanent
~r1pO#r- residents aged 49 years and older, living in two postcode
}LzBo\ areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
b 7UJ Participants were identified through a census and were
apvcWF% invited to participate. The study was approved at each
]A*}Dem*5 stage of the data collection by the Human Ethics Committees
0MG>77 of the University of Sydney and the Western Sydney
=[6^NR( Area Health Service and adhered to the recommendations
!+l'<*8V of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent
is'V%q was obtained from each participant.
T(b9b,ov) Details of the methods used in this study have been
;G[V:.o- described previously [11]. The baseline examinations
IG7
81:,/ (BMES cross-section I) were conducted during 1992–
jvzioFCt 1994 and included 3654 (82.4%) of 4433 eligible residents.
)t6]F6!_ Follow-up examinations (BMES IIA) were conducted
I6>J.6luF9 during 1997–1999, with 2335 (75.0% of BMES
$l7^-SK`E cross section I survivors) participating. A repeat census of
_P>YG<*"kQ the same area was performed in 1999 and identified 1378
IGlR,tw_/ newly eligible residents who moved into the area or the
TdtV ( eligible age group. During 1999–2000, 1174 (85.2%) of
8nz({Mb9Z this group participated in an extension study (BMES IIB).
} M#e\neii BMES cross-section II thus includes BMES IIA (66.5%)
S@qp_! and BMES IIB (33.5%) participants (n = 3509).
-d ntV= Similar procedures were used for all stages of data collection
~+q1g[6 at both surveys. A questionnaire was administered
><V*`{bD9) including demographic, family and medical history. A
hW^,' m detailed eye examination included subjective refraction,
%)ho<z:7U slit-lamp (Topcon SL-7e camera, Topcon Optical Co,
3DU1c?M: Tokyo, Japan) and retroillumination (Neitz CT-R camera,
6{Wo5O{!\ Neitz Instrument Co, Tokyo, Japan) photography of the
8|u
4xf< lens. Grading of lens photographs in the BMES has been
Up9{aX previously described [12]. Briefly, masked grading was
%fS9F^AK performed on the lens photographs using the Wisconsin
zWsr|= [ Cataract Grading System [13]. Cortical cataract and PSC
OM*_%UF were assessed from the retroillumination photographs by
0I}e>]:I estimating the percentage of the circular grid involved.
m[hL
GD'Fi Cortical cataract was defined when cortical opacity
oA1_W).wJ involved at least 5% of the total lens area. PSC was defined
Nw;qJ58@ when opacity comprised at least 1% of the total lens area.
7& M-^Ev Slit-lamp photographs were used to assess nuclear cataract
q=1 NRG using the Wisconsin standard set of four lens photographs
fXD+ [13]. Nuclear cataract was defined when nuclear opacity
}Zhe%M=}G was at least as great as the standard 4 photograph. Any cataract
GES}o9?# was defined to include persons who had previous
_Q V=3UWP cataract surgery as well as those with any of three cataract
U82a]i0 types. Inter-grader reliability was high, with weighted
eP{srP3 9 kappa 0.82 for cortical cataract, 0.55 (simple kappa 0.75)
^-o{3Q(w for nuclear cataract and 0.82 for PSC grading. The intragrader
%mI0*YRma reliability for nuclear cataract was assessed with
FX:`7c]:9 simple kappa 0.83 for the senior grader who graded
`e[S Zj\ nuclear cataract at both surveys. All PSC cases were confirmed
c*USA
eP by an ophthalmologist (PM).
qxL\
G &~ In cross-section I, 219 persons (6.0%) had missing or
!_I1=yi ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3435 with photographs
Zxk~X}K\P available for cortical cataract and PSC assessment,
s%[F,hQRk while 1153 (31.6%) had randomly missing or ungradable
5
Qgu:)} Topcon photographs due to a camera malfunction, leaving
i~B?p[ 2501 with photographs available for nuclear cataract
0G%9
@^B assessment. Comparison of characteristics between participants
n#_B4UqW% with and without Neitz or Topcon photographs in
Ky3mzw| cross-section I showed no statistically significant differences
o3WOp80hz between the two groups, as reported previously
,H7X_KbFD4 [12]. In cross-section II, 441 persons (12.5%) had missing
dQ:,pe7A or ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3068 for cortical
,p2UshOmd cataract and PSC assessment, and 648 (18.5%) had
_3IT3mb2n missing or ungradable Topcon photographs, leaving 2860
'nmGHorp for nuclear cataract assessment.
I8#2+$Be+@ Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis
t}t(fJHY` System (SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Age-adjusted
.)E#*kLWR prevalence was calculated using direct standardization of
vHaM yA- the cross-section II population to the cross-section I population.
jkeerU6 We assessed age-specific prevalence using an
pn" !wqg interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age
j?T'N:Qd group were independent between the two cross-sectional
5(;Y&?k surveys.
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4KPnV+h"b Results
kUBE+a6# Characteristics of the two survey populations have been
m:BzIcW<\ previously compared [14] and showed that age and sex
Jv~R
/qaaD distributions were similar. Table 1 compares participant
i?L=8+9f characteristics between the two cross-sections. Cross-section
b42%^E II participants generally had higher rates of diabetes,
Lg4|6.Ez|P hypertension, myopia and more users of inhaled steroids.
?XKX&ws Cataract prevalence rates in cross-sections I and II are
\((MoQ9Qk shown in Figure 1. The overall prevalence of cortical cataract
FDoPW~+[ was 23.8% and 23.7% in cross-sections I and II,
Z% +$<
J respectively (age-sex adjusted P = 0.81). Corresponding
lHiWzt
u prevalence of PSC was 6.3% and 6.0% for the two crosssections
Y S3~sA (age-sex adjusted P = 0.60). There was an
-TD\?Q increased prevalence of nuclear cataract, from 18.7% in
(bm^R-SbB cross-section I to 23.9% in cross-section II over the 6-year
VQIvu)I period (age-sex adjusted P < 0.001). Prevalence of any cataract
TX)W.2u= (including persons who had cataract surgery), however,
Q#MB=:0{ was relatively stable (46.9% and 46.8% in crosssections
&l6@C3N$ I and II, respectively).
&C'^YF_^0 After age-standardization, these prevalence rates remained
|JkfAnrN$I stable for cortical cataract (23.8% and 23.5% in the two
*eg0^ByeD surveys) and PSC (6.3% and 5.9%). The slightly increased
_2KIe(,; prevalence of nuclear cataract (from 18.7% to 24.2%) was
8T+9
fh]I not altered.
(wj:Gc Table 2 shows the age-specific prevalence rates for cortical
d==0 @` cataract, PSC and nuclear cataract in cross-sections I and
NX\AQVy9 II. A similar trend of increasing cataract prevalence with
5V 2ZAYV increasing age was evident for all three types of cataract in
'VV
U-)(8 both surveys. Comparing the age-specific prevalence
|!FQQ(1b between the two surveys, a reduction in PSC prevalence in
}NDl~5 cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥ 75
Z9: years). In contrast, increased nuclear cataract prevalence
20I`F>-* in cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥
k"#gSCW$ 70 years). Age-specific cortical cataract prevalence was relatively
ILr=<j consistent between the two surveys, except for a
+cfcr* reduction in prevalence observed in the 80–84 age group
rC@VMe|0
and an increasing prevalence in the older age groups (≥ 85
G:*vV#K years).
$e1.y b% Similar gender differences in cataract prevalence were
pPa]@ z~O observed in both surveys (Table 3). Higher prevalence of
B*_
K}5UO cortical and nuclear cataract in women than men was evident
RP$u/x"b but the difference was only significant for cortical
ZK;/~9KU cataract (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, for women 1.3,
t
U}6^yc 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.1–1.5 in cross-section I
, >aa2 and OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6 in cross-section II). In con-
CHTK.%AQH! Table 1: Participant characteristics.
1\}XL=BE Characteristics Cross-section I Cross-section II
(Y'cxwj% n % n %
?98!2:'{9 Age (mean) (66.2) (66.7)
j^=Eu r/ 50–54 485 13.3 350 10.0
frUs'j/bZ 55–59 534 14.6 580 16.5
!p$p 7 60–64 638 17.5 600 17.1
tAq0Z) 65–69 671 18.4 639 18.2
.K84"Gdx 70–74 538 14.7 572 16.3
^mn!;nu 75–79 422 11.6 407 11.6
;N#}3lpLqg 80–84 230 6.3 226 6.4
^"O>EY': 85–89 100 2.7 110 3.1
7tWC<# 90+ 36 1.0 24 0.7
{@CQ
( Female 2072 56.7 1998 57.0
uGz)Vz&3 Ever Smokers 1784 51.2 1789 51.2
8\68NG6o Use of inhaled steroids 370 10.94 478 13.8^
6!>p<p"Ns History of:
5IUdA? Diabetes 284 7.8 347 9.9^
A
:ts_* Hypertension 1669 46.0 1825 52.2^
,
r*Kxy Emmetropia* 1558 42.9 1478 42.2
sJx_X8 Myopia* 442 12.2 495 14.1^
zHA::6OgPN Hyperopia* 1633 45.0 1532 43.7
l6#Y}<tq n = number of persons affected
.O"a: ^i * best spherical equivalent refraction correction
"LlQl3"= ^ P < 0.01
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)1!<<;@0 (page number not for citation purposes)
27N;> t
M>Q ZN rast, men had slightly higher PSC prevalence than women
~2\Sn-` in both cross-sections but the difference was not significant
1SztN3'q (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 for men in cross-section I
f$QkzWvr and OR 1.2, 95% 0.9–1.6 in cross-section II).
V K6D Discussion
D(ItNMcKu Findings from two surveys of BMES cross-sectional populations
BW)-F (v with similar age and gender distribution showed
%B\x
%e;P that the prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC remained
z |llf7: stable, while the prevalence of nuclear cataract appeared
:=y5713 to have increased. Comparison of age-specific prevalence,
Ez~5ax7x with totally independent samples within each age group,
*JDz0M4f confirmed the robustness of our findings from the two
z*h:Nt%. survey samples. Although lens photographs taken from
OM0r*<D"! the two surveys were graded for nuclear cataract by the
_M/N_Fm same graders, who documented a high inter- and intragrader
z.8 nYL5^} reliability, we cannot exclude the possibility that
$,@}%NlHc variations in photography, performed by different photographers,
pZ'q_Oux may have contributed to the observed difference
,i6E L in nuclear cataract prevalence. However, the overall
=(
|%%,3 Table 2: Age-specific prevalence of cataract types in cross sections I and II.
Q//
@5m_ Cataract type Age (years) Cross-section I Cross-section II
53{\H&q n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
l
SdA7 Cortical 50–54 473 4.4 (2.6–6.3) 338 7.4 (4.6–10.2)
'Wnh1|z 55–59 522 9.2 (6.7–11.7) 542 9.0 (6.6–11.5)
r\Y,*e 60–64 615 16.4 (13.5–19.4) 556 16.7 (13.6–19.8)
xg/( 65–69 653 26.2 (22.8–29.6) 581 23.6 (20.1–27.0)
_aevaWtEx 70–74 516 31.2 (27.2–35.2) 514 35.4 (31.3–39.6)
neM.M
)0 75–79 366 40.2 (35.1–45.2) 332 39.8 (34.5–45.1)
Jm<NDE~rw 80–84 194 58.8 (51.8–65.8) 163 42.9 (35.3–50.6)
1<'z)r4 85–89 74 52.7 (41.1–64.4) 73 54.8 (43.1–66.5)
/al56n 90+ 22 68.2 (47.0–89.3) 14 78.6 (54.0–103.2)
:Q DkaA PSC 50–54 474 2.7 (1.3–4.2) 338 2.4 (0.7–4.0)
4Y?2u 55–59 522 2.9 (1.4–4.3) 541 2.6 (1.3–3.9)
)).=MTk 60–64 616 4.6 (2.9–6.2) 548 5.7 (3.7–7.6)
SX"|~Pi( 65–69 655 6.3 (4.4–8.1) 573 4.5 (2.8–6.3)
,5 ka{Q`K 70–74 517 6.8 (4.6–8.9) 505 9.7 (7.1–12.3)
0a89<yX 75–79 367 11.4 (8.2–14.7) 327 9.5 (6.3–12.7)
g)czJ=T2 80–84 196 12.2 (7.6–16.9) 155 10.3 (5.5–15.2)
dP_QkO 85–89 74 18.9 (9.8–28.1) 69 11.6 (3.9–19.4)
CWkWW/ZI 90+ 23 21.7 (3.5–40.0) 11 0.0
k_]'?f7Z Nuclear 50–54 323 1.6 (0.2–2.9) 331 0.9 (–0.2–1.9)
!6=s{V&r1 55–59 386 2.3 (0.8–3.8) 507 3.6 (1.9–5.2)
_MC',p& 60–64 453 5.3 (3.2–7.4) 501 11.6 (8.8–14.4)
DQY1oM)D! 65–69 478 17.2 (13.8–20.1) 534 18.5 (15.2–21.9)
)1Bz0: 70–74 392 27.6 (23.1–32.0) 453 36.0 (31.6–40.4)
C{/U;Ie
-b 75–79 255 45.1 (39.0–51.3) 302 55.6 (50.0–61.3)
^5]9B<i[Y 80–84 146 54.1 (45.9–62.3) 147 73.5 (66.3–80.7)
zgjgEhnvU 85–89 50 64.0 (50.2–77.8) 70 80.0 (70.4–89.6)
|iUF3s|? 90+ 18 72.2 (49.3–95.1) 15 73.3 (48.0–98.7)
J.XkdGQ n = number of persons
_m?i$5 * 95% Confidence Limits
A x8 > Cataract FMioguunrtea i1n ps rEeyvea lSetnucdey in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
tZ[9qms^_ Cataract prevalence in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
B bmw[Qf\ Mountains Eye Study.
mH$ `)i8 0
VgXT4gO! 10
k?7"r4Vc)S 20
^Ak?2,xB#+ 30
uB"B{:Kz 40
9<rs3 84 50
OSO MFt cortical PSC nuclear any
@Pc7$ qD % cataract
!q$VnqFk Cataract type
A v>v\ :.> %
392(N( Cross-section I
Me z&@{ Cross-section II
#Db^* BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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)kjQ W&)g (page number not for citation purposes)
ih)\P0wed prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery) was
92Gfxld\ relatively stable over the 6-year period.
-,*m\Fe} Although different population-based studies used different
H5d@TB,` grading systems to assess cataract [15], the overall
,k.") prevalence of the three cataract types were similar across
7)D[ }UXz different study populations [12,16-23]. Most studies have
sQ\HIU%] suggested that nuclear cataract is the most prevalent type
nT:<_'! of cataract, followed by cortical cataract [16-20]. Ours and
l@w\
Vxr other studies reported that cortical cataract was the most
\'g7oV;>cI prevalent type [12,21-23].
Zt41f PQ Our age-specific prevalence data show a reduction of
Z/ml,4e 15.9% in cortical cataract prevalence for the 80–84 year
f8K0/z age group, concordant with an increase in cataract surgery
%Qj$@.*:
prevalence by 9% in those aged 80+ years observed in the
~a
V5 same study population [10]. Although cortical cataract is
lrkgsv6 thought to be the least likely cataract type leading to a cataract
3`D*AFQc surgery, this may not be the case in all older persons.
eCJ
tNPd A relatively stable cortical cataract and PSC prevalence
SefF Ci%4 over the 6-year period is expected. We cannot offer a
;L76V$& definitive explanation for the increase in nuclear cataract
g}6M+QNj prevalence. A possible explanation could be that a moderate
\COoU
(" level of nuclear cataract causes less visual disturbance
Z! /_H($ than the other two types of cataract, thus for the oldest age
PU\xF t groups, persons with nuclear cataract could have been less
V`/c#y|| likely to have surgery unless it is very dense or co-existing
iX2exJto with cortical cataract or PSC. Previous studies have shown
^Q0=Ggh that functional vision and reading performance were high
TRgj`FG in patients undergoing cataract surgery who had nuclear
XpKeN2=p cataract only compared to those with mixed type of cataract
6e,IjocsB (nuclear and cortical) or PSC [24,25]. In addition, the
~_CZ1 overall prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery)
ZBK)rmhMx was similar in the two cross-sections, which appears
x^`P[> to support our speculation that in the oldest age group,
Tsu\4
cL] nuclear cataract may have been less likely to be operated
B|^=2 >8s than the other two types of cataract. This could have
dZkKAK:v resulted in an increased nuclear cataract prevalence (due
BUI#y `J to less being operated), compensated by the decreased
|P9Mhf N prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC (due to these being
o<s~
455m/ more likely to be operated), leading to stable overall prevalence
j~in%|^ of any cataract.
|1!OwQax Possible selection bias arising from selective survival
`P|V&;}K among persons without cataract could have led to underestimation
MnY}U",
of cataract prevalence in both surveys. We
r;waT@&C assume that such an underestimation occurred equally in
A$zC$9{0I both surveys, and thus should not have influenced our
ZI :wJU:f assessment of temporal changes.
|n s9ziTDI Measurement error could also have partially contributed
SrWmV@"y to the observed difference in nuclear cataract prevalence.
1TN+pmc}@ Assessment of nuclear cataract from photographs is a
oB!-JX9 potentially subjective process that can be influenced by
*$t =Lh variations in photography (light exposure, focus and the
4kNSF slit-lamp angle when the photograph was taken) and
Q;z'"P grading. Although we used the same Topcon slit-lamp
.'1]2/ad camera and the same two graders who graded photos
(iO/@iw from both surveys, we are still not able to exclude the possibility
YMwL(m1 of a partial influence from photographic variation
NQbgk+&wD on this result.
EF6"P
H+J@ A similar gender difference (women having a higher rate
<;Td8T; than men) in cortical cataract prevalence was observed in
$4CsiZ6 both surveys. Our findings are in keeping with observations
c<)O#i@3/ from the Beaver Dam Eye Study [18], the Barbados
b:*(
f#"q Eye Study [22] and the Lens Opacities Case-Control
-A"0mS8L Group [26]. It has been suggested that the difference
U4y ?z could be related to hormonal factors [18,22]. A previous
3)dtl!VMW[ study on biochemical factors and cataract showed that a
#|cr\\2* lower level of iron was associated with an increased risk of
i"M$hXO cortical cataract [27]. No interaction between sex and biochemical
ueJ_F#y factors were detected and no gender difference
M ~6k[ew was assessed in this study [27]. The gender difference seen
(=D^BXtH| in cortical cataract could be related to relatively low iron
J35[GZ';D levels and low hemoglobin concentration usually seen in
|0N1]Hf women [28]. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cortical
3%V VG~[ Table 3: Gender distribution of cataract types in cross-sections I and II.
{F$MZ2 E Cataract type Gender Cross-section I Cross-section II
&G!2T!xx n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
9Or Cortical Male 1496 21.1 (19.0–23.1) 1328 20.4 (18.2–22.6)
[/eRc Female 1939 25.9 (23.9–27.8) 1785 26.2 (24.2–28.3)
]0@
J)Z09 PSC Male 1500 6.5 (5.2–7.7) 1314 6.4 (5.1–7.7)
X7 fJ+Cn Female 1944 6.2 (5.1–7.2) 1753 5.7 (4.6–6.7)
v>p~y u+G Nuclear Male 1106 17.6 (15.4–19.9) 1225 22.5 (20.1–24.8)
~_yz\;# Female 1395 19.5 (17.4–21.6) 1635 25.0 (22.9–27.1)
=M/($PA n = number of persons
P'CDV3+ * 95% Confidence Limits
,W&::/2<7 BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 h*X
u/aOg Page 6 of 7
dpcFS0 (page number not for citation purposes)
;Quk%6;[N cataract but in this particular population diabetes is more
YumHECej prevalent in men than women in all age groups [29]. Differential
3S
WO_ exposures to cataract risk factors or different dietary
;AK@Kb or lifestyle patterns between men and women may
srfM"Lb' also be related to these observations and warrant further
#1` lJ study.
6(.]TEu0 Conclusion
3a]Omuu|= In summary, in two population-based surveys 6 years
N| L Ey apart, we have documented a relatively stable prevalence
q`DilZ]S of cortical cataract and PSC over the period. The observed
s+yX82Y
overall increased nuclear cataract prevalence by 5% over a
1K'.QRZMb9 6-year period needs confirmation by future studies, and
2OJ=Xb1
reasons for such an increase deserve further study.
Yy:Q/zwo Competing interests
PE-P(T3s[8 The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.
%4rPkPAtrp Authors' contributions
F)g.xQ AGT graded the photographs, performed literature search
KD5} Nk)t and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JJW graded the
=W~K_jE5lo photographs, critically reviewed and modified the manuscript.
Pq:GvM` ER performed the statistical analysis and critically
<MH| <hP reviewed the manuscript. PM designed and directed the
c
p7Rpqg study, adjudicated cataract cases and critically reviewed
fhZD[m#D and modified the manuscript. All authors read and
'YcoF;&[C approved the final manuscript.
* -Kf Acknowledgements
Tv{X$`% This study was supported by the Australian National Health & Medical
H/Fq'FsQB Research Council, Canberra, Australia (Grant Nos 974159, 991407). The
y-iu
Ozq4 abstract was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
BiUOjQC# (ARVO) meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 2005.
&_EjP
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