BioMed Central
F ^m;xy Page 1 of 7
C0>L<*C (page number not for citation purposes)
X+N8r^& BMC Ophthalmology
6['o^>\}f Research article Open Access
41Ab, Comparison of age-specific cataract prevalence in two
kjOkPp population-based surveys 6 years apart
QR<<O Ava Grace Tan†, Jie Jin Wang*†, Elena Rochtchina† and Paul Mitchell†
0h{&k7T<7 Address: Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital,
e nw*[D ! Westmead, NSW, Australia
/xBO;'rR Email: Ava Grace Tan -
ava_tan@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Jie Jin Wang* -
jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au;
5ci1ce Elena Rochtchina -
elena_rochtchina@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Paul Mitchell -
paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au 58eO|c( * Corresponding author †Equal contributors
8]bLp Abstract
#)iPvV' Background: In this study, we aimed to compare age-specific cortical, nuclear and posterior
$H&:R&Us subcapsular (PSC) cataract prevalence in two surveys 6 years apart.
,"YTG*ky
Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 participants (82.4% of those eligible) in
+c__U
Qx cross-section I (1992–4) and 3509 participants (75.1% of survivors and 85.2% of newly eligible) in
),^pi? cross-section II (1997–2000, 66.5% overlap with cross-section I). Cataract was assessed from lens
K}'?#a(aX= photographs following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Cortical cataract was defined if
_c}# f\ +_ cortical opacity comprised ≥ 5% of lens area. Nuclear cataract was defined if nuclear opacity ≥
FJT0lC Wisconsin standard 4. PSC was defined if any present. Any cataract was defined to include persons
n8`WU3& who had previous cataract surgery. Weighted kappa for inter-grader reliability was 0.82, 0.55 and
<|w(Sn 0.82 for cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract, respectively. We assessed age-specific prevalence using
ksUF(lYk an interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age group were independent between the
^uPg71r: two surveys.
Ynp#3 r Results: Age and gender distributions were similar between the two populations. The age-specific
J@#rOOu prevalence of cortical (23.8% in 1st, 23.7% in 2nd) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 6.0%) was similar. The
}02(Y!Gh prevalence of nuclear cataract increased slightly from 18.7% to 23.9%. After age standardization,
n9-WZsc1 the similar prevalence of cortical (23.8%, 23.5%) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 5.9%), and the increased
8xkLfN|N=
prevalence of nuclear cataract (18.7%, 24.2%) remained.
2^f7GP Conclusion: In two surveys of two population-based samples with similar age and gender
5du xW>D distributions, we found a relatively stable cortical and PSC cataract prevalence over a 6-year period.
6qWWfm/6 The increased prevalence of nuclear cataract deserves further study.
jdx T662q Background
MIh\z7gW Age-related cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual
C;.,+(G impairment in older persons [1-6]. In Australia, it is
Eh$1piJG estimated that by the year 2021, the number of people
G&"O)$h affected by cataract will increase by 63%, due to population
_KkP{g,Y aging [7]. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment
Kx?8HA[5 for cataract and normal vision (> 20/40) can usually
?/myG{E be restored with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
'S:$4j Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is currently the
\NKQ:F1 most commonly performed, and is, arguably, the most
Z[eWey_ cost effective surgical procedure worldwide. Performance
|"+Ufw^ Published: 20 April 2006
l[rK)PM BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2415-6-17
j0s$}FPUI Received: 14 December 2005
dlIYzO< Accepted: 20 April 2006
@PctBS<s This article is available from:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 /'b7q y © 2006 Tan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
7R# }AQ This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
Lw%_xRn) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
K9y~
e BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 g
4952u Page 2 of 7
4I&Mdt<^D (page number not for citation purposes)
l5\V4 of this surgical procedure has been continuously increasing
EdkIT|c{ in the last two decades. Data from the Australian
.J O1kt Health Insurance Commission has shown a steady
Vjw u:M increase in Medicare claims for cataract surgery [8]. A 2.6-
mCG&=Fx fold increase in the total number of cataract procedures
k%Vprc from 1985 to 1994 has been documented in Australia [9].
Z!7xRy The rate of cataract surgery per thousand persons aged 65
>?rMMR+A years or older has doubled in the last 20 years [8,9]. In the
&/WE{W Blue Mountains Eye Study population, we observed a onethird
x0:BxRx* increase in cataract surgery prevalence over a mean
.{} 8mFi
1 6-year interval, from 6% to nearly 8% in two cross-sectional
NzTF2ve( population-based samples with a similar age range
Z#bO}! [10]. Further increases in cataract surgery performance
,wXmJ)/WZ would be expected as a result of improved surgical skills
B?- poB& and technique, together with extending cataract surgical
! ?/:p. benefits to a greater number of older people and an
,v,rY' increased number of persons with surgery performed on
cD}]4 both eyes.
|_>^vW1
f Both the prevalence and incidence of age-related cataract
@un+y9m[C link directly to the demand for, and the outcome of, cataract
Z7RBJK7|. surgery and eye health care provision. This report
K,$rG%czX aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of cortical
: -d_
and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract
x3Y)l1gh (PSC) in two cross-sectional population-based
XWyP'\ surveys 6 years apart.
4=MjyH|[Jx Methods
8/BMFR
J The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a populationbased
qq]Iy= cohort study of common eye diseases and other
nS*Y+Q^9a health outcomes. The study involved eligible permanent
F_jHi0A residents aged 49 years and older, living in two postcode
vIbM@Y4
'? areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
Z>Mv$F"p: Participants were identified through a census and were
|=m.eU invited to participate. The study was approved at each
7K:V<vX5 stage of the data collection by the Human Ethics Committees
%kjG[C of the University of Sydney and the Western Sydney
uMS+,dXy Area Health Service and adhered to the recommendations
G+t:]\ of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent
U/QgO was obtained from each participant.
hN
&?x5aC> Details of the methods used in this study have been
O9(z"c described previously [11]. The baseline examinations
4^F%bXJ) (BMES cross-section I) were conducted during 1992–
t'l4$}( 1994 and included 3654 (82.4%) of 4433 eligible residents.
~<m^ Follow-up examinations (BMES IIA) were conducted
Mzp<s<BX during 1997–1999, with 2335 (75.0% of BMES
"J 1A9| cross section I survivors) participating. A repeat census of
89g
a+#7 the same area was performed in 1999 and identified 1378
_9
]:0bDUo newly eligible residents who moved into the area or the
\7r0]& _ eligible age group. During 1999–2000, 1174 (85.2%) of
)Y7H@e\1 this group participated in an extension study (BMES IIB).
LV^^Bd8Ct BMES cross-section II thus includes BMES IIA (66.5%)
cMXv and BMES IIB (33.5%) participants (n = 3509).
^{4BcM7eH Similar procedures were used for all stages of data collection
vSH,fS-n at both surveys. A questionnaire was administered
^w60AqR8 including demographic, family and medical history. A
*9^8NY] detailed eye examination included subjective refraction,
`$B?TNuch7 slit-lamp (Topcon SL-7e camera, Topcon Optical Co,
=9GALoGL Tokyo, Japan) and retroillumination (Neitz CT-R camera,
$^ee~v;m4 Neitz Instrument Co, Tokyo, Japan) photography of the
$3^M-w lens. Grading of lens photographs in the BMES has been
-3{Q`@F previously described [12]. Briefly, masked grading was
<l{oE?N performed on the lens photographs using the Wisconsin
[a2]_]E% Cataract Grading System [13]. Cortical cataract and PSC
]#)(D-
i were assessed from the retroillumination photographs by
q? '4& estimating the percentage of the circular grid involved.
.|
4P
:r Cortical cataract was defined when cortical opacity
,a?)O6?/ involved at least 5% of the total lens area. PSC was defined
eiKY az when opacity comprised at least 1% of the total lens area.
P R
%)3 Slit-lamp photographs were used to assess nuclear cataract
xsZG(Tz using the Wisconsin standard set of four lens photographs
:?6HG_9X [13]. Nuclear cataract was defined when nuclear opacity
,8@<sFB' was at least as great as the standard 4 photograph. Any cataract
J:@gmo`M;V was defined to include persons who had previous
k pgA2u7 cataract surgery as well as those with any of three cataract
L 4j#0I]lq types. Inter-grader reliability was high, with weighted
3ZXAAV kappa 0.82 for cortical cataract, 0.55 (simple kappa 0.75)
,hn#DJ) for nuclear cataract and 0.82 for PSC grading. The intragrader
z
&EDW5I reliability for nuclear cataract was assessed with
NUV">i.( simple kappa 0.83 for the senior grader who graded
Lh[0B.g< nuclear cataract at both surveys. All PSC cases were confirmed
fDy*dp4z by an ophthalmologist (PM).
46>rvy.r In cross-section I, 219 persons (6.0%) had missing or
Msqqjhoy ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3435 with photographs
*9\j1Nd available for cortical cataract and PSC assessment,
xt^1,V4Ei~ while 1153 (31.6%) had randomly missing or ungradable
ZmsYRk~@- Topcon photographs due to a camera malfunction, leaving
//63|;EEkl 2501 with photographs available for nuclear cataract
(47?lw
& assessment. Comparison of characteristics between participants
>(RkoExO/ with and without Neitz or Topcon photographs in
'nTlCYT cross-section I showed no statistically significant differences
:r
q~5hK between the two groups, as reported previously
50_[hC&C) [12]. In cross-section II, 441 persons (12.5%) had missing
]Y[N=G or ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3068 for cortical
w%]) cataract and PSC assessment, and 648 (18.5%) had
; J W]b] missing or ungradable Topcon photographs, leaving 2860
clvg5{^q[ for nuclear cataract assessment.
o/{`\4 Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis
VIAq$iu7 System (SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Age-adjusted
mjD^iu8? prevalence was calculated using direct standardization of
Bp^LLH the cross-section II population to the cross-section I population.
eo]nkyYDP We assessed age-specific prevalence using an
|m's) interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age
Mq0MtC6- group were independent between the two cross-sectional
'4'Z
surveys.
0F)v9EK(W4 BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 |=q~X}DA Page 3 of 7
HyzSHI (page number not for citation purposes)
T1Py6Q,- Results
irlFB
#.. Characteristics of the two survey populations have been
i9ySD previously compared [14] and showed that age and sex
0qN`-0Yk distributions were similar. Table 1 compares participant
T,!EL+o4 characteristics between the two cross-sections. Cross-section
GN_L"|#)= II participants generally had higher rates of diabetes,
Au2?f~#Fv hypertension, myopia and more users of inhaled steroids.
9^/Y7Wp/@ Cataract prevalence rates in cross-sections I and II are
lAnq2j| shown in Figure 1. The overall prevalence of cortical cataract
7T/BzXr,B was 23.8% and 23.7% in cross-sections I and II,
T<*)Cdid respectively (age-sex adjusted P = 0.81). Corresponding
/si<Fp)z prevalence of PSC was 6.3% and 6.0% for the two crosssections
Ck/44Wfej (age-sex adjusted P = 0.60). There was an
rO#w(] increased prevalence of nuclear cataract, from 18.7% in
i|{psA cross-section I to 23.9% in cross-section II over the 6-year
sywuS period (age-sex adjusted P < 0.001). Prevalence of any cataract
LuySa2, (including persons who had cataract surgery), however,
h\!8*e;RAW was relatively stable (46.9% and 46.8% in crosssections
`t/j6e] I and II, respectively).
Pg}QRCB@ After age-standardization, these prevalence rates remained
nXn@|J&z~U stable for cortical cataract (23.8% and 23.5% in the two
;O7"!\ surveys) and PSC (6.3% and 5.9%). The slightly increased
H4ie$/[$8 prevalence of nuclear cataract (from 18.7% to 24.2%) was
Pm%xX
~H not altered.
uzHMQp Table 2 shows the age-specific prevalence rates for cortical
'xta/@Sq cataract, PSC and nuclear cataract in cross-sections I and
1'/
[x(/]d II. A similar trend of increasing cataract prevalence with
~Eg]Auk7 increasing age was evident for all three types of cataract in
vb[
0H{TT2 both surveys. Comparing the age-specific prevalence
jSpj6:@B between the two surveys, a reduction in PSC prevalence in
w1I07 ( cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥ 75
Z5xQ
-T` years). In contrast, increased nuclear cataract prevalence
"SN*hzs"]` in cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥
*OA(v^@tx7 70 years). Age-specific cortical cataract prevalence was relatively
81EEYf consistent between the two surveys, except for a
Gy\]j reduction in prevalence observed in the 80–84 age group
GeJ}myD O and an increasing prevalence in the older age groups (≥ 85
`qJJ{<1&U years).
f$FO 1B) Similar gender differences in cataract prevalence were
Stwg[K0< observed in both surveys (Table 3). Higher prevalence of
E0I/]0 cortical and nuclear cataract in women than men was evident
D9TjjA|zS but the difference was only significant for cortical
K+|XI|1p cataract (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, for women 1.3,
aB6/-T+
u 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.1–1.5 in cross-section I
-r,v3n and OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6 in cross-section II). In con-
w<H2#d>5!@ Table 1: Participant characteristics.
wb9(aS4 Characteristics Cross-section I Cross-section II
Pd+*syOM n % n %
a+HK
fK
Age (mean) (66.2) (66.7)
S(CkA\[rz 50–54 485 13.3 350 10.0
3UXZ|!- 55–59 534 14.6 580 16.5
x:0
swZ5Z 60–64 638 17.5 600 17.1
v)np.j0V7 65–69 671 18.4 639 18.2
YZ<zlU 70–74 538 14.7 572 16.3
8o+:|V~X 75–79 422 11.6 407 11.6
AS]8rH 80–84 230 6.3 226 6.4
Lxv;[2XsW) 85–89 100 2.7 110 3.1
o@N[O^Q
V 90+ 36 1.0 24 0.7
w2xD1oK~o Female 2072 56.7 1998 57.0
+%j27~R>D Ever Smokers 1784 51.2 1789 51.2
3|!3R'g/ > Use of inhaled steroids 370 10.94 478 13.8^
2H w7V3q History of:
~]
?sA{ Diabetes 284 7.8 347 9.9^
Q3%] Hypertension 1669 46.0 1825 52.2^
sCw>J#@2> Emmetropia* 1558 42.9 1478 42.2
x %`YV):* Myopia* 442 12.2 495 14.1^
Io*H}$Gf Hyperopia* 1633 45.0 1532 43.7
##BbR n = number of persons affected
`Y.~eE * best spherical equivalent refraction correction
,+IFV ^ P < 0.01
OqS!y(
( BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 I5E=Ujc_ Page 4 of 7
;_SSR8uHv (page number not for citation purposes)
,9d]-CuP; t
N@tKgx rast, men had slightly higher PSC prevalence than women
_BA; H+M in both cross-sections but the difference was not significant
EPn!6W5^ (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 for men in cross-section I
l0^cdl- and OR 1.2, 95% 0.9–1.6 in cross-section II).
-a@e28Y Discussion
n=4 Findings from two surveys of BMES cross-sectional populations
E,tdn#_| with similar age and gender distribution showed
z H-a%$5 that the prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC remained
d'Bxi"K
stable, while the prevalence of nuclear cataract appeared
TW>G
YGz to have increased. Comparison of age-specific prevalence,
&*"*b\ with totally independent samples within each age group,
O!nS3%De confirmed the robustness of our findings from the two
p%meuWV%5 survey samples. Although lens photographs taken from
$m#^0% the two surveys were graded for nuclear cataract by the
m-azd~r[ same graders, who documented a high inter- and intragrader
]i(/T$?~ reliability, we cannot exclude the possibility that
}R16WY_' variations in photography, performed by different photographers,
jr0j0$BF may have contributed to the observed difference
OS;
T; in nuclear cataract prevalence. However, the overall
AvrvBz[ Table 2: Age-specific prevalence of cataract types in cross sections I and II.
h_#=f(.'j Cataract type Age (years) Cross-section I Cross-section II
2kDY+AN; n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
G`n
$A/
9Q Cortical 50–54 473 4.4 (2.6–6.3) 338 7.4 (4.6–10.2)
8 5ET$YV 55–59 522 9.2 (6.7–11.7) 542 9.0 (6.6–11.5)
8O]`3oa> 60–64 615 16.4 (13.5–19.4) 556 16.7 (13.6–19.8)
B2j1GJEO 65–69 653 26.2 (22.8–29.6) 581 23.6 (20.1–27.0)
DNq(\@x[! 70–74 516 31.2 (27.2–35.2) 514 35.4 (31.3–39.6)
l[:Aq&[o3 75–79 366 40.2 (35.1–45.2) 332 39.8 (34.5–45.1)
y&
yf&p 80–84 194 58.8 (51.8–65.8) 163 42.9 (35.3–50.6)
AcuF0KWw/ 85–89 74 52.7 (41.1–64.4) 73 54.8 (43.1–66.5)
seEo)m`d 90+ 22 68.2 (47.0–89.3) 14 78.6 (54.0–103.2)
{>1FZsR49t PSC 50–54 474 2.7 (1.3–4.2) 338 2.4 (0.7–4.0)
~>(~2083*; 55–59 522 2.9 (1.4–4.3) 541 2.6 (1.3–3.9)
GqR XNs! 60–64 616 4.6 (2.9–6.2) 548 5.7 (3.7–7.6)
I)'bf/6? 65–69 655 6.3 (4.4–8.1) 573 4.5 (2.8–6.3)
\wA:58 -j 70–74 517 6.8 (4.6–8.9) 505 9.7 (7.1–12.3)
b*?u+tWP_ 75–79 367 11.4 (8.2–14.7) 327 9.5 (6.3–12.7)
K{ar)_V/ 80–84 196 12.2 (7.6–16.9) 155 10.3 (5.5–15.2)
To>,8E+GAb 85–89 74 18.9 (9.8–28.1) 69 11.6 (3.9–19.4)
0uDD
aFS 90+ 23 21.7 (3.5–40.0) 11 0.0
@/<UhnI Nuclear 50–54 323 1.6 (0.2–2.9) 331 0.9 (–0.2–1.9)
=p'+kS+ 55–59 386 2.3 (0.8–3.8) 507 3.6 (1.9–5.2)
oVy{~D= 60–64 453 5.3 (3.2–7.4) 501 11.6 (8.8–14.4)
'3672wF/ 65–69 478 17.2 (13.8–20.1) 534 18.5 (15.2–21.9)
p5#x7*xR6 70–74 392 27.6 (23.1–32.0) 453 36.0 (31.6–40.4)
WSHPhhM 75–79 255 45.1 (39.0–51.3) 302 55.6 (50.0–61.3)
}aRib{L 80–84 146 54.1 (45.9–62.3) 147 73.5 (66.3–80.7)
A0)^I:& 85–89 50 64.0 (50.2–77.8) 70 80.0 (70.4–89.6)
h )
Wp 90+ 18 72.2 (49.3–95.1) 15 73.3 (48.0–98.7)
&Pr\n&9A n = number of persons
h`|04Q * 95% Confidence Limits
} jj) Cataract FMioguunrtea i1n ps rEeyvea lSetnucdey in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
!CYC7HeF Cataract prevalence in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
_Ub
`\ytx Mountains Eye Study.
_f[Q\gK 0
^OY]Y+S`Ox 10
~(d
{j}M> 20
5YD~l(,S1] 30
sApix=Lr 40
C27:tyV 50
W*C~Xba< cortical PSC nuclear any
_B^zm-}8|B cataract
WBE>0L Cataract type
vamZKm~p %
>7>
I1 Cross-section I
eQbHf Cross-section II
F[jE#M=k BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 5BhR4+1J Page 5 of 7
;/K2h_=3z (page number not for citation purposes)
)dT@0Ys% prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery) was
@ma(py relatively stable over the 6-year period.
9"P|Csj Although different population-based studies used different
<gp?}Lk grading systems to assess cataract [15], the overall
11=$]K> prevalence of the three cataract types were similar across
j#](Q! different study populations [12,16-23]. Most studies have
ZL!u$)(V suggested that nuclear cataract is the most prevalent type
t2N W$
-E of cataract, followed by cortical cataract [16-20]. Ours and
5f-b>=02 other studies reported that cortical cataract was the most
Zl9@E;|= prevalent type [12,21-23].
qyH-Z@ Our age-specific prevalence data show a reduction of
`R[Hxi 15.9% in cortical cataract prevalence for the 80–84 year
Aedf
(L7\ age group, concordant with an increase in cataract surgery
L:G
#> prevalence by 9% in those aged 80+ years observed in the
-#|D> same study population [10]. Although cortical cataract is
Mbi]EZ thought to be the least likely cataract type leading to a cataract
?{ir
$M surgery, this may not be the case in all older persons.
j6rN t| A relatively stable cortical cataract and PSC prevalence
tb3VqFx over the 6-year period is expected. We cannot offer a
!J`lA definitive explanation for the increase in nuclear cataract
*DL7p8 prevalence. A possible explanation could be that a moderate
v,KKn\X level of nuclear cataract causes less visual disturbance
4DA34m( than the other two types of cataract, thus for the oldest age
`Fy-"Uf groups, persons with nuclear cataract could have been less
isQ(O likely to have surgery unless it is very dense or co-existing
?"B]"%M& with cortical cataract or PSC. Previous studies have shown
uw)7N(os\` that functional vision and reading performance were high
3N7H7(IR in patients undergoing cataract surgery who had nuclear
d1j9{ cataract only compared to those with mixed type of cataract
Tg\bpLk0= (nuclear and cortical) or PSC [24,25]. In addition, the
"W|A^@r} overall prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery)
bF'rK'', was similar in the two cross-sections, which appears
4fEDg{T to support our speculation that in the oldest age group,
m>>.N? nuclear cataract may have been less likely to be operated
%bW_,b than the other two types of cataract. This could have
2eT?qCxqc resulted in an increased nuclear cataract prevalence (due
]MbPivM to less being operated), compensated by the decreased
+.G"ool prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC (due to these being
UO/sv2CN more likely to be operated), leading to stable overall prevalence
.KsR48g8 of any cataract.
pSZ2>^"; Possible selection bias arising from selective survival
Gr"CHz/ among persons without cataract could have led to underestimation
QLA.;`HIE of cataract prevalence in both surveys. We
Q?{%c[s assume that such an underestimation occurred equally in
=OVDJ0ozZ both surveys, and thus should not have influenced our
sV^:u^ assessment of temporal changes.
d:H'[l.F% Measurement error could also have partially contributed
\bA Yic to the observed difference in nuclear cataract prevalence.
RaZ>.5
D Assessment of nuclear cataract from photographs is a
"
qI99
e potentially subjective process that can be influenced by
"
\$^j#o variations in photography (light exposure, focus and the
x-^6U slit-lamp angle when the photograph was taken) and
Dn- gP grading. Although we used the same Topcon slit-lamp
%x)bZ=
An camera and the same two graders who graded photos
x 3@-E from both surveys, we are still not able to exclude the possibility
V5|ANt of a partial influence from photographic variation
#;!&8iH on this result.
u8e_Lqx? A similar gender difference (women having a higher rate
rS8a/d~;0 than men) in cortical cataract prevalence was observed in
{Gxe%gu6
K both surveys. Our findings are in keeping with observations
9KSi-2?H from the Beaver Dam Eye Study [18], the Barbados
Jh[0xb Eye Study [22] and the Lens Opacities Case-Control
t [Q
D#; Group [26]. It has been suggested that the difference
n*4`Tduu^ could be related to hormonal factors [18,22]. A previous
0=d2_YzSf study on biochemical factors and cataract showed that a
,d
G. 67 lower level of iron was associated with an increased risk of
8^mE< cortical cataract [27]. No interaction between sex and biochemical
CB@7XUR factors were detected and no gender difference
W{p
}N was assessed in this study [27]. The gender difference seen
Bous d in cortical cataract could be related to relatively low iron
K g@'mG levels and low hemoglobin concentration usually seen in
jm0p%%z women [28]. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cortical
7 WJ\nK Table 3: Gender distribution of cataract types in cross-sections I and II.
y@P%t9l Cataract type Gender Cross-section I Cross-section II
>A#5` $i n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
PK
*W
u<< Cortical Male 1496 21.1 (19.0–23.1) 1328 20.4 (18.2–22.6)
'H1
~Zhv Female 1939 25.9 (23.9–27.8) 1785 26.2 (24.2–28.3)
P8 X07IK PSC Male 1500 6.5 (5.2–7.7) 1314 6.4 (5.1–7.7)
nF3}wCe) Female 1944 6.2 (5.1–7.2) 1753 5.7 (4.6–6.7)
16NHzAQ Nuclear Male 1106 17.6 (15.4–19.9) 1225 22.5 (20.1–24.8)
F^ q{[Z Female 1395 19.5 (17.4–21.6) 1635 25.0 (22.9–27.1)
R|;BO:S1 n = number of persons
<'y<8gpM * 95% Confidence Limits
m*0YMS>Y | BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 -YoL.`s1 Page 6 of 7
K;K0D@>]HR (page number not for citation purposes)
I8H3*DE cataract but in this particular population diabetes is more
k
%I83,+ prevalent in men than women in all age groups [29]. Differential
]HKt7 %, exposures to cataract risk factors or different dietary
!V|{(>+< or lifestyle patterns between men and women may
<o E
Ay also be related to these observations and warrant further
72HA.!ry study.
1;B~n5C. Conclusion
fRp] In summary, in two population-based surveys 6 years
*>fr'jj1$ apart, we have documented a relatively stable prevalence
TrI+F+; of cortical cataract and PSC over the period. The observed
1NYR8W]2 overall increased nuclear cataract prevalence by 5% over a
x}G:n[B7_V 6-year period needs confirmation by future studies, and
jIh1)*]054 reasons for such an increase deserve further study.
[ATJ!
O Competing interests
T(|'.&a The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.
8SRR)O[)} Authors' contributions
y
oW~ AGT graded the photographs, performed literature search
s$Vl">9# and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JJW graded the
q,v<:sS9T photographs, critically reviewed and modified the manuscript.
m8n) sw,, ER performed the statistical analysis and critically
8Vu@awz{L reviewed the manuscript. PM designed and directed the
=VC18yA study, adjudicated cataract cases and critically reviewed
<2
U#U; and modified the manuscript. All authors read and
VL%. maj approved the final manuscript.
7# AIX], Acknowledgements
%;`Kd}CO This study was supported by the Australian National Health & Medical
2z>-H595az Research Council, Canberra, Australia (Grant Nos 974159, 991407). The
x0 j5D abstract was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
G`!x+FB (ARVO) meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 2005.
%QP[/5vQ References
161P%sGx2 1. Congdon N, O'Colmain B, Klaver CC, Klein R, Munoz B, Friedman
PMjNc_)) DS, Kempen J, Taylor HR, Mitchell P: Causes and prevalence of
?(ORk|)kU visual impairment among adults in the United States. Arch
M}]
*j Ophthalmol 2004, 122(4):477-485.
~ l}f@@u 2. Rahmani B, Tielsch JM, Katz J, Gottsch J, Quigley H, Javitt J, Sommer
^h?fr` A: The cause-specific prevalence of visual impairment in an
>u= urban population. The Baltimore Eye Survey. Ophthalmology
M
9)4ihK 1996, 103:1721-1726.
l7`{ O/hN 3. Keeffe JE, Konyama K, Taylor HR: Vision impairment in the
x`E<]z*w} Pacific region. Br J Ophthalmol 2002, 86:605-610.
pg{VKrT` 4. Reidy A, Minassian DC, Vafidis G, Joseph J, Farrow S, Wu J, Desai P,
-YNpHd/;, Connolly A: Prevalence of serious eye disease and visual
yD"]:ts3 impairment in a north London population: population based,
HK)m^!= cross sectional study. BMJ 1998, 316:1643-1646.
=lAjQt 5. Resnikoff S, Pascolini D, Etya'ale D, Kocur I, Pararajasegaram R,
FJn-cR.n Pokharel GP, Mariotti SP: Global data on visual impairment in
=$OGHc the year 2002. Bull World Health Organ 2004, 82:844-851.
X>I3N?5 6. Pascolini D, Mariotti SP, Pokharel GP, Pararajasegaram R, Etya'ale D,
.\_):j* Negrel AD, Resnikoff S: 2002 global update of available data on
/3s&??{tv visual impairment: a compilation of population-based prevalence
tz;3 studies. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2004, 11:67-115.
b8d0]YS 7. Rochtchina E, Mukesh BN, Wang JJ, McCarty CA, Taylor HR, Mitchell
<::lfPP P: Projected prevalence of age-related cataract and cataract
9#9 UzKX# surgery in Australia for the years 2001 and 2021: pooled data
^ ]9K>} from two population-based surveys. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol
>YI Vi4'' 2003, 31:233-236.
G&S2U=KdV% 8. Medicare Benefits Schedule Statistics [
http://www.medicar g8O6
b eaustralia.gov.au/statistics/dyn_mbs/forms/mbs_tab4.shtml]
pGD@R=8 9. Keeffe JE, Taylor HR: Cataract surgery in Australia 1985–94.
}Xj25` x Aust N Z J Ophthalmol 1996, 24:313-317.
"Not /
8J 10. Tan AG, Wang JJ, Rochtchina E, Jakobsen K, Mitchell P: Increase in
xM%4/QE+ cataract surgery prevalence from 1992–1994 to 1997–2000:
SIp)& Analysis of two population cross-sections. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol
P<g(i 6] 2004, 32:284-288.
'=0}2sF> 11. Mitchell P, Smith W, Attebo K, Wang JJ: Prevalence of age-related
~N!HxQ maculopathy in Australia. The Blue Mountains Eye Study.
L/"MRQ" Ophthalmology 1995, 102:1450-1460.
'3S~QN 12. Mitchell P, Cumming RG, Attebo K, Panchapakesan J: Prevalence of
AW5iwq6p cataract in Australia: the Blue Mountains eye study. Ophthalmology
F*P0=DD 1997, 104:581-588.
s| p I` 13. Klein BEK, Magli YL, Neider MW, Klein R: Wisconsin system for classification
tA#Pc6zBuC of cataracts from photographs (protocol) Madison, WI; 1990.
^}+\ 52w 14. Foran S, Wang JJ, Mitchell P: Causes of visual impairment in two
G(t:s5: older population cross-sections: the Blue Mountains Eye
B@F@,?K4% Study. Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2003, 10:215-225.
v@zi?D K 15. Congdon N, Vingerling JR, Klein BE, West S, Friedman DS, Kempen J,
c`<2&ke O'Colmain B, Wu SY, Taylor HR: Prevalence of cataract and
#I=EYl=Vvi pseudophakia/aphakia among adults in the United States.
"0HUaU,e Arch Ophthalmol 2004, 122:487-494.
$e+sqgU 16. Sperduto RD, Hiller R: The prevalence of nuclear, cortical, and
(H_dZL posterior subcapsular lens opacities in a general population
y X!u& sample. Ophthalmology 1984, 91:815-818.
! VR&HEru 17. Adamsons I, Munoz B, Enger C, Taylor HR: Prevalence of lens
x^K4&'</ opacities in surgical and general populations. Arch Ophthalmol
[oh06_rB 1991, 109:993-997.
nkHl;;WJ 18. Klein BE, Klein R, Linton KL: Prevalence of age-related lens
L"ho|v9: opacities in a population. The Beaver Dam Eye Study. Ophthalmology
z_>
~=Mm 1992, 99:546-552.
n%3!)/$ 19. West SK, Munoz B, Schein OD, Duncan DD, Rubin GS: Racial differences
C&z!="hMhR in lens opacities: the Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE)
=2&\<Q_Fi project. Am J Epidemiol 1998, 148:1033-1039.
S#]]h/
20. Congdon N, West SK, Buhrmann RR, Kouzis A, Munoz B, Mkocha H:
1h@qcom9K_ Prevalence of the different types of age-related cataract in
k3bQ32() an African population. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2001,
*duG/?>P 42:2478-2482.
hi,="
/9 21. Livingston PM, Guest CS, Stanislavsky Y, Lee S, Bayley S, Walker C,
\9[vi +T McKean C, Taylor HR: A population-based estimate of cataract
6La[( ) prevalence: the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project experience.
d7^
` Dev Ophthalmol 1994, 26:1-6.
<ww D*t 22. Leske MC, Connell AM, Wu SY, Hyman L, Schachat A: Prevalence
eKr>>4,-P of lens opacities in the Barbados Eye Study. Arch Ophthalmol
{\5(aQ)Vi5 1997, 115:105-111. published erratum appears in Arch Ophthalmol
a{ST4d'T 1997 Jul;115(7):931
1>e30Ri,g 23. Seah SK, Wong TY, Foster PJ, Ng TP, Johnson GJ: Prevalence of
o(ow{S@=4 lens opacity in Chinese residents of Singapore: the tanjong
!*v%
s pagar survey. Ophthalmology 2002, 109:2058-2064.
lfAy$qP"} 24. Stifter E, Sacu S, Weghaupt H, Konig F, Richter-Muksch S, Thaler A,
#ksDU Velikay-Parel M, Radner W: Reading performance depending on
Ubu&$4a the type of cataract and its predictability on the visual outcome.
9(]_so24, J Cataract Refract Surg 2004, 30:1259-1267.
]KuM's 25. Stifter E, Sacu S, Weghaupt H: Functional vision with cataracts of
437Wy+Q|e different morphologies: comparative study. J Cataract Refract
.6gx|V+ Surg 2004, 30:1883-1891.
k*A(7qQA`4 26. Leske MC, Chylack LT Jr, Wu SY: The Lens Opacities Case-Control
@_`r*Tb)dM Study. Risk factors for cataract. Arch Ophthalmol 1991,
g/C 7wc 109:244-251.
"\*)KH`C 27. Leske MC, Wu SY, Hyman L, Sperduto R, Underwood B, Chylack LT,
6 :4GI Milton RC, Srivastava S, Ansari N: Biochemical factors in the lens
u[qy1M0 opacities. Case-control study. The Lens Opacities Case-Control
3@=<4$ Study Group. Arch Ophthalmol 1995, 113:1113-1119.
4&NB xe 28. Yip R, Johnson C, Dallman PR: Age-related changes in laboratory
,P<I<QYu values used in the diagnosis of anemia and iron deficiency.
-}m Am J Clin Nutr 1984, 39:427-436.
HJr/N)d 29. Mitchell P, Smith W, Wang JJ, Cumming RG, Leeder SR, Burnett L:
G5qsnTxUJ Diabetes in an older Australian population. Diabetes Res Clin
b!g)/%C
Pract 1998, 41:177-184.
oRd{?I&NY Pre-publication history
sA6Hk
B. The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed
iY>xx~V here:
!$HuH6_[ Publish with BioMed Central and every
8GxT! scientist can read your work free of charge
}|h-=T ' "BioMed Central will be the most significant development for
!& c%!
* disseminating the results of biomedical research in our lifetime."
pjO Sir Paul Nurse, Cancer Research UK
9I 6^-m@: Your research papers will be:
RCqL~7C+ k available free of charge to the entire biomedical community
\nOV2(FAT peer reviewed and published immediately upon acceptance
NHZMH!=4:n cited in PubMed and archived on PubMed Central
Ew}GPJ yours — you keep the copyright
,=!s;+lu{ Submit your manuscript here:
a:|]F| http://www.biomedcentral.com/info/publishing_adv.asp _6FDuCVD- BioMedcentral
/_fZ
2$/ BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 LzXIqj'H7T Page 7 of 7
IwFf8?
3 (page number not for citation purposes)
>VjtKSN http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17/prepub