BioMed Central
09r0Rb Page 1 of 7
<+/:}S4w) (page number not for citation purposes)
DaK
2P;WP BMC Ophthalmology
?)60JWOJ1 Research article Open Access
^EG@tB $< Comparison of age-specific cataract prevalence in two
UImd*;2TE population-based surveys 6 years apart
/.[;u1z"^ Ava Grace Tan†, Jie Jin Wang*†, Elena Rochtchina† and Paul Mitchell†
<21@jdu3n, Address: Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital,
Hf
]w Westmead, NSW, Australia
60A
E~ Email: Ava Grace Tan -
ava_tan@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Jie Jin Wang* -
jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au;
_kJ?mTk Elena Rochtchina -
elena_rochtchina@wmi.usyd.edu.au; Paul Mitchell -
paul_mitchell@wmi.usyd.edu.au =LsW\.T6 * Corresponding author †Equal contributors
mHnHB.OL Abstract
7Lv5@ Background: In this study, we aimed to compare age-specific cortical, nuclear and posterior
Rzolue 8 subcapsular (PSC) cataract prevalence in two surveys 6 years apart.
8:iu 8c$ Methods: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 participants (82.4% of those eligible) in
YTtuR` cross-section I (1992–4) and 3509 participants (75.1% of survivors and 85.2% of newly eligible) in
+yh-HYo` cross-section II (1997–2000, 66.5% overlap with cross-section I). Cataract was assessed from lens
;M95A photographs following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System. Cortical cataract was defined if
bay7%[BLB cortical opacity comprised ≥ 5% of lens area. Nuclear cataract was defined if nuclear opacity ≥
-d|VXD5N Wisconsin standard 4. PSC was defined if any present. Any cataract was defined to include persons
0UHX Li47Y who had previous cataract surgery. Weighted kappa for inter-grader reliability was 0.82, 0.55 and
K)h\X~s 0.82 for cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract, respectively. We assessed age-specific prevalence using
$oJ)W@> an interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age group were independent between the
lF=l|.c two surveys.
p
PF]&:&-b Results: Age and gender distributions were similar between the two populations. The age-specific
E8:4Z$|c prevalence of cortical (23.8% in 1st, 23.7% in 2nd) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 6.0%) was similar. The
N1O& fMz prevalence of nuclear cataract increased slightly from 18.7% to 23.9%. After age standardization,
T@GR Tg
the similar prevalence of cortical (23.8%, 23.5%) and PSC cataract (6.3%, 5.9%), and the increased
)LA^j|Y} prevalence of nuclear cataract (18.7%, 24.2%) remained.
=uYz4IDB Conclusion: In two surveys of two population-based samples with similar age and gender
4zF|}aiQ distributions, we found a relatively stable cortical and PSC cataract prevalence over a 6-year period.
<Wn"_Ud=
The increased prevalence of nuclear cataract deserves further study.
xELnik_L2 Background
$jd>=TU| Age-related cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual
.>(?c92 impairment in older persons [1-6]. In Australia, it is
4b" %171 estimated that by the year 2021, the number of people
T4W"!4[ affected by cataract will increase by 63%, due to population
doCWJ aging [7]. Surgical intervention is an effective treatment
)$#r6fQO for cataract and normal vision (> 20/40) can usually
OFJ
T be restored with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
a{lDHk`Wf Cataract surgery with IOL implantation is currently the
c=YJ:&/5& most commonly performed, and is, arguably, the most
&h7q=-XU cost effective surgical procedure worldwide. Performance
mGQgy[gX Published: 20 April 2006
$z7[RLu0! BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2415-6-17
+[ _)i
9a Received: 14 December 2005
67I6]3[Z Accepted: 20 April 2006
E)Z$7;N0x This article is available from:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 )shzJ9G © 2006 Tan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
7'[C+/: This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0),
0Fw0#eE which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
o6pnTu BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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PmtBu`OkV (page number not for citation purposes)
?VMj;+'tr of this surgical procedure has been continuously increasing
$'f<4 in the last two decades. Data from the Australian
x@+m_y Health Insurance Commission has shown a steady
1#AdEd[ increase in Medicare claims for cataract surgery [8]. A 2.6-
,jBd3GdlZ fold increase in the total number of cataract procedures
YJw 9 d] from 1985 to 1994 has been documented in Australia [9].
d 7A08l{ The rate of cataract surgery per thousand persons aged 65
47_4`rzy; years or older has doubled in the last 20 years [8,9]. In the
s-eC' )w~E Blue Mountains Eye Study population, we observed a onethird
iTU8WWY< increase in cataract surgery prevalence over a mean
4#uWj?u 6-year interval, from 6% to nearly 8% in two cross-sectional
c=l
3Sz?
population-based samples with a similar age range
j380=?7 [10]. Further increases in cataract surgery performance
BRP
9j
y would be expected as a result of improved surgical skills
bz_Zk and technique, together with extending cataract surgical
)5lo^Qb benefits to a greater number of older people and an
9
<5SQ increased number of persons with surgery performed on
%}cGAHV both eyes.
>Dpz0v
Both the prevalence and incidence of age-related cataract
h0NM5 link directly to the demand for, and the outcome of, cataract
%R5APMg1 surgery and eye health care provision. This report
<ns[(
Q aimed to assess temporal changes in the prevalence of cortical
GZ\;M6{oh and nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract
[7?K9r\# (PSC) in two cross-sectional population-based
e# K =SV!H surveys 6 years apart.
_`WbR&d2Id Methods
Q44Pg$jp The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) is a populationbased
|")}p=
cohort study of common eye diseases and other
^~0Mw;n& health outcomes. The study involved eligible permanent
>2`)S{pBD residents aged 49 years and older, living in two postcode
E;~gQ6vAI areas in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.
vpx8GiV
Participants were identified through a census and were
$b\`N2J-_ invited to participate. The study was approved at each
[AQ6ads) stage of the data collection by the Human Ethics Committees
T%K(opISc( of the University of Sydney and the Western Sydney
UiA\J Area Health Service and adhered to the recommendations
xh[Mmq/R of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent
9H?er_6Yf was obtained from each participant.
EtJyI&7VK Details of the methods used in this study have been
(E59)z - described previously [11]. The baseline examinations
=C8 t5BZ" (BMES cross-section I) were conducted during 1992–
>|!F.W
1994 and included 3654 (82.4%) of 4433 eligible residents.
tYiK#N7 Follow-up examinations (BMES IIA) were conducted
R6]/g during 1997–1999, with 2335 (75.0% of BMES
+Zt
qR cross section I survivors) participating. A repeat census of
mv%fX2. the same area was performed in 1999 and identified 1378
ZO{uG(u newly eligible residents who moved into the area or the
6#fl1GdH- eligible age group. During 1999–2000, 1174 (85.2%) of
ln)_Jf1r this group participated in an extension study (BMES IIB).
CL|t!+wU/ BMES cross-section II thus includes BMES IIA (66.5%)
eX7Ev'(H and BMES IIB (33.5%) participants (n = 3509).
r9 'lFj Similar procedures were used for all stages of data collection
u _s at both surveys. A questionnaire was administered
9kL'"0c including demographic, family and medical history. A
-fuSCj detailed eye examination included subjective refraction,
sXOGI
v slit-lamp (Topcon SL-7e camera, Topcon Optical Co,
`o
yz"07m Tokyo, Japan) and retroillumination (Neitz CT-R camera,
7(^<Z5@ Neitz Instrument Co, Tokyo, Japan) photography of the
g<{/mxv/ lens. Grading of lens photographs in the BMES has been
Cq;t;qN,nQ previously described [12]. Briefly, masked grading was
F=yrqRS= performed on the lens photographs using the Wisconsin
bEP-I5j1t Cataract Grading System [13]. Cortical cataract and PSC
y 562g`"U were assessed from the retroillumination photographs by
&\4AvaeA8y estimating the percentage of the circular grid involved.
<Rob.x3 Cortical cataract was defined when cortical opacity
VS@o_fUx) involved at least 5% of the total lens area. PSC was defined
E8J`7sa when opacity comprised at least 1% of the total lens area.
OsPx-|f
S~ Slit-lamp photographs were used to assess nuclear cataract
p{xO+Nx1a using the Wisconsin standard set of four lens photographs
K2>(C$Z [13]. Nuclear cataract was defined when nuclear opacity
iJIPH>UMX was at least as great as the standard 4 photograph. Any cataract
q0{KYWOvk was defined to include persons who had previous
1U.se`L cataract surgery as well as those with any of three cataract
% @3AA< types. Inter-grader reliability was high, with weighted
dN\Byl(6 kappa 0.82 for cortical cataract, 0.55 (simple kappa 0.75)
Mz#
&"WjF for nuclear cataract and 0.82 for PSC grading. The intragrader
zM"OateA reliability for nuclear cataract was assessed with
+'Pl?QyH simple kappa 0.83 for the senior grader who graded
B-ReBtN
nuclear cataract at both surveys. All PSC cases were confirmed
1O*5>dkX;% by an ophthalmologist (PM).
f;`pj`-k% In cross-section I, 219 persons (6.0%) had missing or
N~_G
Jw@ ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3435 with photographs
`Gzukh available for cortical cataract and PSC assessment,
@B
%m,Mx while 1153 (31.6%) had randomly missing or ungradable
=($RT Topcon photographs due to a camera malfunction, leaving
F& .iY0Pt 2501 with photographs available for nuclear cataract
$cEl6(66iX assessment. Comparison of characteristics between participants
R nt&<|8G with and without Neitz or Topcon photographs in
H_m(7@= cross-section I showed no statistically significant differences
?r0#{x~ between the two groups, as reported previously
$D
+6=m[ [12]. In cross-section II, 441 persons (12.5%) had missing
v]\io#
or ungradable Neitz photographs, leaving 3068 for cortical
7YsBwo cataract and PSC assessment, and 648 (18.5%) had
2ikY.Xi6 missing or ungradable Topcon photographs, leaving 2860
@y3w_;P for nuclear cataract assessment.
=k6zUw;5 U Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis
S%<RV6{aiM System (SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Age-adjusted
['ol]ZJ prevalence was calculated using direct standardization of
8Kt_irD the cross-section II population to the cross-section I population.
Nq6~6Rr We assessed age-specific prevalence using an
opxVxjTT# interval of 5 years, so that participants within each age
Qg;A (\z group were independent between the two cross-sectional
a)=WDRk surveys.
YYU Di@K BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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uH[d%y/ (page number not for citation purposes)
2:'C| Results
9 X}F{!p~1 Characteristics of the two survey populations have been
~6m-2-14q previously compared [14] and showed that age and sex
fmZ5rmw! distributions were similar. Table 1 compares participant
S'M=P_-7 characteristics between the two cross-sections. Cross-section
D|m6gP;P II participants generally had higher rates of diabetes,
Z*S
9pkWcF hypertension, myopia and more users of inhaled steroids.
}YJ(|z"" Cataract prevalence rates in cross-sections I and II are
H|_^T.n?E shown in Figure 1. The overall prevalence of cortical cataract
k%-_z}:3V was 23.8% and 23.7% in cross-sections I and II,
y;Xb."e~ respectively (age-sex adjusted P = 0.81). Corresponding
W$LaXytmak prevalence of PSC was 6.3% and 6.0% for the two crosssections
f"t\-ux.b (age-sex adjusted P = 0.60). There was an
p6m](Jg increased prevalence of nuclear cataract, from 18.7% in
?hUC#{ cross-section I to 23.9% in cross-section II over the 6-year
U ^1Xc#Ff period (age-sex adjusted P < 0.001). Prevalence of any cataract
]:`q/iS& (including persons who had cataract surgery), however,
w"d~R
was relatively stable (46.9% and 46.8% in crosssections
4DI.RK9 I and II, respectively).
wy6> ^_z After age-standardization, these prevalence rates remained
pOP`n3m0 stable for cortical cataract (23.8% and 23.5% in the two
a@ `1 5O: surveys) and PSC (6.3% and 5.9%). The slightly increased
K=Z~$)Og) prevalence of nuclear cataract (from 18.7% to 24.2%) was
}[ LME Z not altered.
3 EH/6 Table 2 shows the age-specific prevalence rates for cortical
H_)\:gTG cataract, PSC and nuclear cataract in cross-sections I and
.Tr!/mf_ II. A similar trend of increasing cataract prevalence with
i? 5jl&30 increasing age was evident for all three types of cataract in
-1).'aJ^ both surveys. Comparing the age-specific prevalence
0<*R 0 between the two surveys, a reduction in PSC prevalence in
H.|v^e cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥ 75
KdU!wsKfG years). In contrast, increased nuclear cataract prevalence
r&sm&4)p-5 in cross-section II was observed in the older age groups (≥
n'R9SnW 70 years). Age-specific cortical cataract prevalence was relatively
\jL n5$OW consistent between the two surveys, except for a
QX}O{LQR reduction in prevalence observed in the 80–84 age group
x
'Pp! and an increasing prevalence in the older age groups (≥ 85
S <~"\<ED years).
:*
|%g Similar gender differences in cataract prevalence were
lM
]n observed in both surveys (Table 3). Higher prevalence of
ozN#LIM>P cortical and nuclear cataract in women than men was evident
cU
<T;1VQ but the difference was only significant for cortical
w@&g9e6E cataract (age-adjusted odds ratio, OR, for women 1.3,
0>hV?A 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.1–1.5 in cross-section I
dL;C4[(N and OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.6 in cross-section II). In con-
;M{@|z[Nv Table 1: Participant characteristics.
9x;CJhX Characteristics Cross-section I Cross-section II
eytd@-7uX n % n %
H9'Y` -r Age (mean) (66.2) (66.7)
<aps)vF 50–54 485 13.3 350 10.0
!DsKa6Zj 55–59 534 14.6 580 16.5
_SU%ul 60–64 638 17.5 600 17.1
r [; .1,( 65–69 671 18.4 639 18.2
(p4|,\+ 70–74 538 14.7 572 16.3
pw;
75–79 422 11.6 407 11.6
)Los\6PRn 80–84 230 6.3 226 6.4
DY2r6bcn` 85–89 100 2.7 110 3.1
^6&?R
?y 90+ 36 1.0 24 0.7
PDN3=PAR/A Female 2072 56.7 1998 57.0
5 :O7c Br Ever Smokers 1784 51.2 1789 51.2
. ]
=$(( Use of inhaled steroids 370 10.94 478 13.8^
bvyX(^I[q History of:
EC[2rROn\ Diabetes 284 7.8 347 9.9^
U~{fbS3, Hypertension 1669 46.0 1825 52.2^
j2GO ZKy Emmetropia* 1558 42.9 1478 42.2
8GpPyG
],e Myopia* 442 12.2 495 14.1^
3GMRH;/w Hyperopia* 1633 45.0 1532 43.7
5I #L
|+ n = number of persons affected
r\6 "mU * best spherical equivalent refraction correction
lwS6"2q ^ P < 0.01
4 3cdWd% BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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5Ym/'eT (page number not for citation purposes)
eq^<5
f t
t
;wfp>El rast, men had slightly higher PSC prevalence than women
K$>C*?R in both cross-sections but the difference was not significant
C>%2'S^.b (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.4 for men in cross-section I
u= a5Z4 N' and OR 1.2, 95% 0.9–1.6 in cross-section II).
H(qDQqJHYy Discussion
7:fC,2+ Findings from two surveys of BMES cross-sectional populations
IyTL|W6 with similar age and gender distribution showed
PnB%vS that the prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC remained
XXuIWIhm stable, while the prevalence of nuclear cataract appeared
{XC1B to have increased. Comparison of age-specific prevalence,
y*ae 5=6( with totally independent samples within each age group,
,TrrqCw> confirmed the robustness of our findings from the two
_g+^ jR4 survey samples. Although lens photographs taken from
=nQ"ye the two surveys were graded for nuclear cataract by the
oK;.|ja same graders, who documented a high inter- and intragrader
j=U
[V&T reliability, we cannot exclude the possibility that
oj.f
uJD variations in photography, performed by different photographers,
U1pL
`P1 may have contributed to the observed difference
q,k/@@Qd9 in nuclear cataract prevalence. However, the overall
KPGo*mY Table 2: Age-specific prevalence of cataract types in cross sections I and II.
Ap}^6_YXd Cataract type Age (years) Cross-section I Cross-section II
\
A
gPkW n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
O 0Fw!IQk Cortical 50–54 473 4.4 (2.6–6.3) 338 7.4 (4.6–10.2)
XA`<*QC< 55–59 522 9.2 (6.7–11.7) 542 9.0 (6.6–11.5)
ByR%2_6& 60–64 615 16.4 (13.5–19.4) 556 16.7 (13.6–19.8)
aAY=0rCI- 65–69 653 26.2 (22.8–29.6) 581 23.6 (20.1–27.0)
c(@V
t&gE 70–74 516 31.2 (27.2–35.2) 514 35.4 (31.3–39.6)
/15e-(Zz/ 75–79 366 40.2 (35.1–45.2) 332 39.8 (34.5–45.1)
mjdZ^ 80–84 194 58.8 (51.8–65.8) 163 42.9 (35.3–50.6)
m9My 85–89 74 52.7 (41.1–64.4) 73 54.8 (43.1–66.5)
|2mm@
):
90+ 22 68.2 (47.0–89.3) 14 78.6 (54.0–103.2)
_tE`W96
J PSC 50–54 474 2.7 (1.3–4.2) 338 2.4 (0.7–4.0)
Hm=!;xAFX 55–59 522 2.9 (1.4–4.3) 541 2.6 (1.3–3.9)
eNN)2-96 60–64 616 4.6 (2.9–6.2) 548 5.7 (3.7–7.6)
;q:.&dak1 65–69 655 6.3 (4.4–8.1) 573 4.5 (2.8–6.3)
9F8"( 70–74 517 6.8 (4.6–8.9) 505 9.7 (7.1–12.3)
Y`@:L'j 75–79 367 11.4 (8.2–14.7) 327 9.5 (6.3–12.7)
jOs&E^">&B 80–84 196 12.2 (7.6–16.9) 155 10.3 (5.5–15.2)
`9;:mR $ 85–89 74 18.9 (9.8–28.1) 69 11.6 (3.9–19.4)
Y*-#yG9 90+ 23 21.7 (3.5–40.0) 11 0.0
=n_r\z Nuclear 50–54 323 1.6 (0.2–2.9) 331 0.9 (–0.2–1.9)
o#V}l^uU= 55–59 386 2.3 (0.8–3.8) 507 3.6 (1.9–5.2)
]qZs^kQ 60–64 453 5.3 (3.2–7.4) 501 11.6 (8.8–14.4)
-3
.Sr|t 65–69 478 17.2 (13.8–20.1) 534 18.5 (15.2–21.9)
\W5fcxf 70–74 392 27.6 (23.1–32.0) 453 36.0 (31.6–40.4)
rwb7>]UI"d 75–79 255 45.1 (39.0–51.3) 302 55.6 (50.0–61.3)
$q`650&S* 80–84 146 54.1 (45.9–62.3) 147 73.5 (66.3–80.7)
9&R. <I 85–89 50 64.0 (50.2–77.8) 70 80.0 (70.4–89.6)
$RxS<_tj 90+ 18 72.2 (49.3–95.1) 15 73.3 (48.0–98.7)
@ i$jyc n = number of persons
eh=.Q<N * 95% Confidence Limits
\{W} Cataract FMioguunrtea i1n ps rEeyvea lSetnucdey in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
'l,ym~R Cataract prevalence in cross-sections I and II of the Blue
QXTl'.SfF Mountains Eye Study.
GAK!qLy9 0
6?an._ C 10
#l kv&.)x 20
[=dK%7v 30
N?]HWP^pg 40
e nsou!l 50
X
w
vH cortical PSC nuclear any
y\M]\^[7 cataract
ygiZ~v4P/ Cataract type
i,5mH$a&u: %
I_|@Fn[> Cross-section I
X?PcEAi;w Cross-section II
y8jwfO3 BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
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p:kHb@ (page number not for citation purposes)
v<+5B5"1 prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery) was
\]bAXa{ p relatively stable over the 6-year period.
Mi+<|5is Although different population-based studies used different
pP JhF8Dt grading systems to assess cataract [15], the overall
9 b?Nlk8d prevalence of the three cataract types were similar across
z=YHRS different study populations [12,16-23]. Most studies have
-M{.KqyW
suggested that nuclear cataract is the most prevalent type
)zUbMzF
of cataract, followed by cortical cataract [16-20]. Ours and
'Ipp1a
Z_M other studies reported that cortical cataract was the most
Szz:$!t prevalent type [12,21-23].
S5a?KU Our age-specific prevalence data show a reduction of
)
?L 15.9% in cortical cataract prevalence for the 80–84 year
@Kl'0>U age group, concordant with an increase in cataract surgery
aJAQ G prevalence by 9% in those aged 80+ years observed in the
wtm= same study population [10]. Although cortical cataract is
K<#Q;(SF U thought to be the least likely cataract type leading to a cataract
x(r>iy surgery, this may not be the case in all older persons.
h 3.6<vM A relatively stable cortical cataract and PSC prevalence
\xtY\q,[
over the 6-year period is expected. We cannot offer a
CAs8=N#H% definitive explanation for the increase in nuclear cataract
9h
bn<Y prevalence. A possible explanation could be that a moderate
,lsoxl level of nuclear cataract causes less visual disturbance
;";#{B: than the other two types of cataract, thus for the oldest age
RxeyMNd groups, persons with nuclear cataract could have been less
RWfC2$z likely to have surgery unless it is very dense or co-existing
"}91wfG9 with cortical cataract or PSC. Previous studies have shown
()[j<KX{. that functional vision and reading performance were high
E:!qncL: in patients undergoing cataract surgery who had nuclear
#RN"Ul-B| cataract only compared to those with mixed type of cataract
`fL81)!jI# (nuclear and cortical) or PSC [24,25]. In addition, the
=&9x}4`;% overall prevalence of any cataract (including cataract surgery)
@U)k~z2Hk was similar in the two cross-sections, which appears
q>n0'`q to support our speculation that in the oldest age group,
3M@!?=|U nuclear cataract may have been less likely to be operated
CLn}BxgD than the other two types of cataract. This could have
JsDugn ,B resulted in an increased nuclear cataract prevalence (due
94Hs.S) to less being operated), compensated by the decreased
=o<iBbK#| prevalence of cortical cataract and PSC (due to these being
)^D:VY92 more likely to be operated), leading to stable overall prevalence
+^@;J?O of any cataract.
0Na/3cz|zg Possible selection bias arising from selective survival
_7^4sR8= among persons without cataract could have led to underestimation
reU*apZ/ of cataract prevalence in both surveys. We
A/xo'G assume that such an underestimation occurred equally in
XZ3)gYQi both surveys, and thus should not have influenced our
@y+Hb@ >. assessment of temporal changes.
uFXu9f+ Measurement error could also have partially contributed
#&oL iz=hZ to the observed difference in nuclear cataract prevalence.
8'nxc#& Assessment of nuclear cataract from photographs is a
\_#Z~I{ potentially subjective process that can be influenced by
CnvM>] variations in photography (light exposure, focus and the
uy
t' slit-lamp angle when the photograph was taken) and
lY,dyNFHV grading. Although we used the same Topcon slit-lamp
xGU~FU camera and the same two graders who graded photos
r^jiK\* from both surveys, we are still not able to exclude the possibility
5|pPzEA> of a partial influence from photographic variation
0IP5&[-P on this result.
xi!CZNz A similar gender difference (women having a higher rate
<q dM than men) in cortical cataract prevalence was observed in
Pv>W`/*_,s both surveys. Our findings are in keeping with observations
zdh&,!] F6 from the Beaver Dam Eye Study [18], the Barbados
YR\pt8(z? Eye Study [22] and the Lens Opacities Case-Control
VEtdp*ot Group [26]. It has been suggested that the difference
jH4'jB could be related to hormonal factors [18,22]. A previous
SD=kpf; study on biochemical factors and cataract showed that a
7E}.P1 lower level of iron was associated with an increased risk of
}r)T75_1 cortical cataract [27]. No interaction between sex and biochemical
~dpU DF factors were detected and no gender difference
bL)7/E was assessed in this study [27]. The gender difference seen
YgFmJ.1 in cortical cataract could be related to relatively low iron
2VY.#9vl levels and low hemoglobin concentration usually seen in
zt23on2 women [28]. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cortical
6n Table 3: Gender distribution of cataract types in cross-sections I and II.
I<["ko,t@? Cataract type Gender Cross-section I Cross-section II
z(y
J/~m n % (95% CL)* n % (95% CL)*
H f
g2]N Cortical Male 1496 21.1 (19.0–23.1) 1328 20.4 (18.2–22.6)
[
BpZ{Ql Female 1939 25.9 (23.9–27.8) 1785 26.2 (24.2–28.3)
|v[0( PSC Male 1500 6.5 (5.2–7.7) 1314 6.4 (5.1–7.7)
0j--X?- Female 1944 6.2 (5.1–7.2) 1753 5.7 (4.6–6.7)
NukcBH Nuclear Male 1106 17.6 (15.4–19.9) 1225 22.5 (20.1–24.8)
:MIJfr>z Female 1395 19.5 (17.4–21.6) 1635 25.0 (22.9–27.1)
n*Q~<`T n = number of persons
}\s\fNSQ/ * 95% Confidence Limits
7
B< BMC Ophthalmology 2006, 6:17
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2415/6/17 `o;E Page 6 of 7
DF>LN%a~ (page number not for citation purposes)
ev$\Ns^g$3 cataract but in this particular population diabetes is more
M`~U
H\ prevalent in men than women in all age groups [29]. Differential
sFvu@Wm'7W exposures to cataract risk factors or different dietary
q3CcXYY or lifestyle patterns between men and women may
S>!
YBzm&X also be related to these observations and warrant further
&Ti:IC%M study.
feI%QnK)U Conclusion
fs:%L In summary, in two population-based surveys 6 years
pr;z>|FgA> apart, we have documented a relatively stable prevalence
./iC of cortical cataract and PSC over the period. The observed
~g6`Cp` overall increased nuclear cataract prevalence by 5% over a
~o+:M0)} 6-year period needs confirmation by future studies, and
sghQ!ux reasons for such an increase deserve further study.
C'_^DPzj Competing interests
5 }pn5iI The author(s) declare that they have no competing interests.
}u>F}mU
a Authors' contributions
eLvbPE_ AGT graded the photographs, performed literature search
_gGI&0(VM and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JJW graded the
;VLv2J* photographs, critically reviewed and modified the manuscript.
?3#W7sF ER performed the statistical analysis and critically
&$,%6X" reviewed the manuscript. PM designed and directed the
P_ [A study, adjudicated cataract cases and critically reviewed
HZG^o^o1l+ and modified the manuscript. All authors read and
4F-r }Fj3 approved the final manuscript.
HkP')= sa Acknowledgements
CSA.6uIT This study was supported by the Australian National Health & Medical
w[WyT`6h! Research Council, Canberra, Australia (Grant Nos 974159, 991407). The
:skNEY]. abstract was presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Zgw;AY.R> (ARVO) meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 2005.
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