Risk Of Age-related Cataract Research Articles

Are Increased Levels of Systemic Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Associated with Age-Related Cataract?

Oxidative stress and inflammation may be involved in the etiology of age-related cataract. This study is the first to investigate the association between urinary levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F₂α (PGF₂α; as a biomarker for systemic oxidative stress in vivo) and 15-keto-dihydro-PGF₂α (as a biomarker for systemic inflammation in vivo) and risk of age-related cataract. We observed in a nested case-control study, including 258 women with incident cataract diagnosis and/or cataract extraction and 258 women without cataract, matched on age and date of urine sample collection that, women with higher levels of urinary 8-iso-PGF₂α as compared with lower levels had an increased risk of age-related cataract. There was no difference in 15-keto-dihydro-PGF₂α levels between cases and controls. Our observations lead to the hypothesis that higher systemic oxidative stress increases the risk of developing age-related cataract.

Association of vitamin A and β-carotene with risk for age-related cataract: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveWhether vitamin A and β-carotene as nutrients are protective factors against cataracts remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to summarize the evidence from epidemiologic studies of vitamin A and β-carotene with the risk for cataract. MethodsPertinent studies were identified by a search of PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Wan Fang Med Online. A fixed- or random-effects model was used based on heterogeneity test. Meta-regression and “leave-one-out” analysis were used to explore potential sources of between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias was estimated using Egger's regression asymmetry test. ResultsTwenty-two articles were included in this meta-analysis. The relative risk (RR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) for cataract for the highest versus lowest category of serum β-carotene levels was 0.827 (95% CI, 0.736–0.930), and the association was significant between β-carotene intake and cataract risk (RR, 0.937; 95% CI, 0.880–0.997). Significant association of cataract risk with vitamin A intake was found overall (RR, 0.831; 95% CI, 0.757–0.913). However, no significant association was found between serum vitamin A and cataract risk (RR, 0.925; 95% CI, 0.675–1.266; I2 = 63.1%), but an inverse association was observed with risk for cataract with serum vitamin A after sensitivity analysis (RR, 0.765; 95% CI, 0.654–0.894; I2 = 29.1%). ConclusionsGreater vitamin A and β-carotene intakes might be inversely associated with risk for cataract.

The effect of multivitamin/mineral supplements on age-related cataracts: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Antioxidant vitamins supplements have been suggested as a strategy to decrease the risk of age-related cataract development. However, the results from observational studies and interventional trials of associations between antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E and cataract development have been inconsistent. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of multivitamin/mineral supplements for decreasing the risk of age-related cataracts by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. In September 2013, we searched multiple databases to identify relevant studies including both cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled relative risks (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Twelve prospective cohort studies and two RCTs were included. Pooled results from the cohort studies indicated that multivitamin/mineral supplements have a significant beneficial effect in decreasing the risk of nuclear cataracts (RR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.64–0.82), cortical cataracts (RR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.68–0.94), and any cataracts (RR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.39–0.93). In addition, there were no decreases in the risk of posterior capsular cataracts (RR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.72–1.20) or cataract surgery (RR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.92–1.08). The two RCTs demonstrated that multivitamin/mineral supplements could decrease the risk of nuclear cataracts. There is sufficient evidence to support the role of dietary multivitamin/mineral supplements for the decreasing the risk of age-related cataracts.

Body Mass Index and Risk of Age-Related Cataract: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

BackgroundAge-related cataract (ARC) is the leading cause of blindness in the world. The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and risk of ARC is controversial across observational studies. We therefore performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the association between BMI and risk of ARC.MethodsEligible studies were identified through an electronic search of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. We pooled study-specific relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to determine the risk of ARC associated with BMI categories and per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI.ResultsA total of 17 prospective cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled RRs of ARC were 1.08 (95% CI, 1.01–1.16) for overweight and 1.19 (95% CI, 1.10–1.28) for obesity compared with normal weight. These findings were robust when stratified by sex, sample source, outcome types and confounders, while significantly differed by assessment of BMI and ARC, and duration of follow-up. The summary RR suggested that per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI was associated with a 2% increased risk of ARC (RR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03). Pooled estimates of RRs consistently indicated a trend for subjects with a high BMI to develop posterior subcapsular cataracts (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06–1.35, for overweight; RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.24–1.81, for obesity; RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01–1.06, per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI) other than nuclear or cortical cataracts.ConclusionsThe overall findings suggest that elevated BMI may increase the risk of ARC, especially posterior subcapsular cataracts. Further trials are needed to investigate the effect of weight reduction in obese populations on the risk of ARC.

Association between Lutein and Zeaxanthin Status and the Risk of Cataract: A Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the relationship between blood lutein and zeaxanthin concentration and the risk of age-related cataract (ARC). MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI and Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant studies up to April 2013. Meta-analysis was conducted to obtain pooled relative risks (RRs) for the highest-versus-lowest categories of blood lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations. One cohort study and seven cross-sectional studies were included in the meta-analysis. There were significant inverse associations between nuclear cataract and blood lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations, with the pooled RRs ranging from 0.63 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.49, 0.77) for zeaxanthin to 0.73 (95% CI: 0.59, 0.87) for lutein. A stronger association between nuclear cataract and blood zeaxanthin might be noted for the studies conducted in the European Nations. Blood lutein and zeaxanthin were also noted to lead towards a decrease in the risk of cortical cataract and subcapsular cataract; however, these pooled RRs were not statistically significant, with the exception of a marginal association between lutein and subcapsular cataract. Our results suggest that high blood lutein and zeaxanthin are significantly associated with a decrease in the risk of nuclear cataract. However, no significant associations were found for ARC in other regions of the lens.

Total Antioxidant Capacity of the Diet and Risk of Age-Related Cataract

To our knowledge, no previous epidemiologic study has investigated the association between all antioxidants in the diet and age-related cataract. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concept aims to measure the capacity from all antioxidants in the diet by also taking synergistic effects into account. To investigate the association between the TAC of the diet and the incidence of age-related cataract in a population-based prospective cohort of middle-aged and elderly women. Questionnaire-based nutrition survey within the prospective Swedish Mammography Cohort study, which included 30,607 women (aged 49-83 years) who were observed for age-related cataract incidence for a mean of 7.7 years. The TAC of the diet was estimated using a database of foods analyzed with the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. Information on incident age-related cataract diagnosis and extraction was collected through linkage to registers in the study area. There were 4309 incident cases of age-related cataracts during the mean 7.7 years of follow-up (234,371 person-years). The multivariable rate ratio in the highest quintile of the TAC of the diet compared with the lowest was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.79-0.96; P for trend = .03). The main contributors to dietary TAC in the study population were fruit and vegetables (44.3%), whole grains (17.0%), and coffee (15.1%). Dietary TAC was inversely associated with the risk of age-related cataract. Future studies examining all antioxidants in the diet in relation to age-related cataract are needed to confirm or refute our findings.

Relationship between dietary macronutrient intake and the risk of age-related cataract in middle-aged and elderly patients in northeast China.

To examine the association between dietary macronutrient intake and the risk of age-related cataract (ARC) in middle-aged and elderly men. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted from December 2009 to November 2011. Cases (n=360) were patients with cataract aged 45-85 years old, and controls (n=360) were patients who had been admitted to the same hospital for diseases not related with cataract. All subjects were interviewed using a structured interviewer-administrated questionnaire that included information on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits and detailed medical history, simultaneously, the dietary intakes of nutrients were collected via a valid semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of three types of ARC were estimated using multiple logistic regression models. After adjusting for multiple potential confounders, total dietary intake of carbohydrate was positively associated with cortical cataract, compared to controls in the lowest quartile, and the OR for cases in the highest quartile of intake was 2.471 (95%CI: 1.348-6.043, P=0.027). Higher dietary intakes of protein were protective for posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) (OR=0.528, 95%CI: 0.148-0.869, P=0.023). Dietary fat intake was not associated with any type of cataract, however, participants in the highest quartile of polyunsaturated fatty acids intake had 2.7 times the risk of nuclear cataract as did those in the lowest quartile (OR=2.742, 95%CI: 1.790-4.200, P=0.033). A high intake of carbohydrate and polyunsaturated fatty acid may increase the odds of cortical and nuclear cataract, respectively, whereas high intake of protein, especially animal protein, may protect against PSC cataract. It is possible that dietary changes of target population may reduce the risk of ARC.

A dose–response meta-analysis of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake in relation to risk of age-related cataract

Lutein and zeaxanthin are thought to have beneficial effects on protecting the lens against cataract formation, but findings from epidemiologic studies have been inconsistent. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to examine the association between dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake and risk of age-related cataract (ARC). We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases up to March 2013. Reference lists from retrieved articles were also reviewed. The adjusted relative risks (RRs) from each study were extracted to calculate a pooled estimate with its 95% confidence interval (CI). The dose-response relationships were assessed by using generalized least-squares trend estimation. Six prospective cohort studies were identified involving 4,416 cases and 41,999 participants. For the comparison between the highest and the lowest categories of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake, significant inverse association were found for nuclear cataract (RR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.85), but not for cortical cataract (RR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.53, 1.17) and for posterior subcapsular cataract (RR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.40, 1.13). Dose-response analysis showed that every 300μg/d increment in dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake was associated with a 3%, 1%, or 3% reduction in the risk of nuclear cataract (RR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94, 0.99), cortical cataract (RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.02), or posterior subcapsular cataract (RR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.93, 1.01) respectively. Dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake is associated with a reduced risk of ARC, especially nuclear cataract in a dose-response manner, indicating a beneficial effect of lutein and zeaxanthin in ARC prevention.

Glutathione S‐transferase omega‐2 polymorphism Asn142Asp modifies the risk of age‐related cataract in smokers and subjects exposed to ultraviolet irradiation

Glutathione S-transferase omega-1 and 2 have a unique range of enzymatic activities, including the regeneration of ascorbate by their dehydroascorbate reductase activities. Because these enzymes could have a protective role from oxidative damage in the lens, the question of whether the two coding glutathione S-transferase omega polymorphisms confer the risk of age-related cataract was addressed. rs4925 (Ala140Asp) of glutathione S-transferase omega-1 and rs156697 (Asn142Asp) of glutathione S-transferase omega-2 polymorphisms in 100 patients with age-related cataract and 130 controls were assessed. Presence of one mutant GSTO1*Asp or GSTO2*Asp allele did not contribute independently towards the risk of cataract; however, homozygous carriers of GSTO1*Asp/GSTO2*Asp haplotype demonstrated 3.42-fold enhanced risk of cataract development (95% confidence interval = 0.84-13.93; P = 0.086). When GSTO genotype was analysed in association with smoking or professional exposure to ultraviolet irradiation, carriers of at least one mutant GSTO2*Asp allele had increased risk of cataract development in comparison with individuals with wild-type GSTO2*Asn/Asn with no history of smoking or ultraviolet exposure (odds ratio = 6.89, 95% confidence interval = 1.81-16.21, P = 0.005; odds ratio = 4.10, 95% confidence interval = 1.23-13.74, P = 0.022, respectively). Regarding the distribution of particular glutathione S-transferase omega genotype and cataract type, the highest frequency of mutant GSTO2*Asp allele was found in patients with nuclear cataract. The results indicate that mutant GSTO2*Asp genotype is associated with increased risk of age-related cataract in smokers and ultraviolet-exposed subjects, suggesting a role of inefficient ascorbate regeneration in cataract development.

Cumulative Lead Exposure and Age-Related Cataract in Middle-Aged and Elderly Women

Background: Age-related cataract is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment worldwide, accounting for more than 40% of global blindness. Lead has been proposed as a potentially important risk factor. Possible mechanisms include lead-induced changes in the lens through redox status, glutathione metabolism, lipid peroxidation, post-translational protein modification, and calcium homeostasis. However, only one epidemiologic study has examined the association between cumulative lead exposure and age-related cataract and it was limited to men. Aim: We examined the association of cumulative lead exposure with the risk of age-related cataract in middle-aged and elderly women. Methods: Participants were 502 Boston area participants in the Nurses' Health Study (mean age=63 yrs, range 55-74 yrs) who had lead exposure assessments done in two substudies (bone lead measured in 1993-1995 and 2001-2004), had cataract extraction from 5 years before the bone lead measurement to 2008, and whose cataracts were not congenital or secondary to chronic steroid use, previous intraocular surgery or ocular trauma. We identified cases of cataract extraction by a biennial questionnaire and confirmed all cases with review of medical records. Bone lead levels were measured by K-x-ray fluorescence. We used logistic regression to compute the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for an interquartile range (IQR) increase in bone lead. Results: We identified 48 cases (9.6%) of cataract extraction. After controlling for substudy, age, smoking, and body mass index, neither bone lead measure was associated with cataract (OR=0.80 (95% CI, 0.51, 1.24) for tibia lead (IQR=11 µg/g); OR=0.98 (95% CI, 0.62, 1.53) for patella lead (IQR=13 µg/g). Conclusions: The present study does not support the hypothesis that cumulative lead exposure increases the risk of age-related cataract in women, but further research in larger populations is needed.

Association of blood antioxidants and vitamins with risk of age-related cataract: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Observational studies have been inconsistent regarding the association between blood antioxidants or vitamins and risk of age-related cataract. We performed a meta-analysis to determine whether an association exists between blood levels of antioxidants or vitamins and age-related cataract in observational studies. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Web of Science for relevant studies from inception to October 2012. Study-specific risk estimates were combined by using a random-effects model. A total of 13 studies with 18,999 participants were involved in this meta-analysis. A pooled estimate showed vitamin E (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.96), α-carotene (OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.59, 0.88), lutein (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.87), and zeaxanthin (OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.60, 0.82) were inversely associated with age-related cataract. Vitamins A (OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.83) and C (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.78) were inversely associated with age-related cataract in Asian populations but not in Western populations. β-Carotene (OR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.78, 1.05), lycopene (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.65, 1.15), and β-cryptoxanthin (OR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.68, 1.02) had no significant association with risk of cataract. This meta-analysis provides additional evidence supporting the view that blood levels of certain antioxidants are inversely associated with risk of age-related cataract. However, the role of antioxidant or vitamin supplement intake in preventing cataract should be further investigated in interventional studies.

Association of the Ephreceptor Tyrosinekinase-Type A2 (EPHA2) Gene Polymorphism rs3754334 with Age-Related Cataract Risk: A Meta-Analysis

BackgroundRecent clinical studies have assessed the association of various polymorphisms on the ephreceptor tyrosinekinase-type A2 (EPHA2) with the risk for age-related cataract in populations of different ethnic/racial backgrounds, but inconsistent results have been obtained.ObjectiveThis meta-analysis aimed to identify if any polymorphism(s) might be commonly present in different ethnic/racial populations in association with the age-related cataract risk.MethodsThe PubMed and Web of Science databases (up to December 1, 2012) were searched for clinical studies on the association of EPHA2 polymorphisms with the risk for age-related cataract. The polymorphisms that were assessed in all eligible studies were analyzed for their association with the risk for age-related cataract using different models.ResultsThree studies were identified, which were conducted, respectively, on white Americans in the Unites States and on Asians in Indian and China. The polymorphism, rs3754334, was the only one studied in all these three studies and was therefore the focus of this meta-analysis. No publication bias or heterogeneity was found. Our analysis results demonstrated that rs3754334 was associated with the risk of any cataracts in the recessive (OR = 1.202, 95% CI: 1.051–1.375, P = 0.007) and Codominant (OR = 1.194, 95% CI: 1.035–1.378, P = 0.015) models, but its association with cortical or nuclear phenotype of age-related cataract was not evident.ConclusionPolymorphism, rs3754334, might be a variant on the EPHA2 gene that is commonly associated with the risk for age-related cataract in different ethnical and geographical populations.

High-Dose Supplements of Vitamins C and E, Low-Dose Multivitamins, and the Risk of Age-related Cataract: A Population-based Prospective Cohort Study of Men

We examined the associations of high-dose supplements of vitamins C and E and low-dose multivitamins with the risk of age-related cataract among 31,120 Swedish men, aged 45-79 years, in a population-based prospective cohort. Dietary supplement use was assessed from a questionnaire at baseline in 1998. During follow-up (January 1998-December 2006), 2,963 incident age-related cataract cases were identified. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio for men using vitamin C supplements only was 1.21 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.41) in a comparison with that of non-supplement users. The hazard ratio for long-term vitamin C users (≥10 years before baseline) was 1.36 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.81). The risk of cataract with vitamin C use was stronger among older men (>65 years) (hazard ratio = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.41, 2.60) and corticosteroid users (hazard ratio = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.48, 3.02). The hazard ratio for vitamin E use only was 1.59 (95% CI: 1.12, 2.26). Use of multivitamins only or multiple supplements in addition to vitamin C or E was not associated with cataract risk. These results suggest that the use of high-dose (but not low-dose) single vitamin C or E supplements may increase the risk of age-related cataract. The risk may be even higher among older men, corticosteroid users, and long-term users.

Smoking and Risk of Age-Related Cataract: A Meta-Analysis

We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between smoking and age-related cataract (ARC). Eligible studies were identified via computer searches and reviewing the reference lists of the key articles. The summary relative risk ratio (RR) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Study-specific risk estimates were pooled using a random-effects model. Meta-regression to assess heterogeneity by several covariates and subgroup analysis on ARC types were performed. A total of 13 prospective cohort and eight case-control studies met our inclusion criteria. Ever smoking was statistically significantly associated with increased risk of ARC among cohort studies (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.23-1.62) and case-control studies (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.20-2.07). In subgroup analysis, ever smoking exhibited a positive relationship with nuclear cataract (NC; OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.46-1.89) and a marginally significant relationship with posterior subcapsular cataract (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.99-2.07) in cohort studies. Similar results were found in case-control studies (NC OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.47-2.36; posterior subcapsular cataract OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.97-2.65). Current smokers were at higher risk of ARC than past smokers. No association between smoking and cortical cataract was observed. The overall current literature suggests that smoking was associated with increased risk of ARC, especially NC. Further efforts should be made to confirm these findings and clarify the underlying biological mechanisms.

Cigarette smoking, body mass index associated with the risks of age-related cataract in male patients in northeast China.

To determine the association between cigarettes smoking, body mass index (BMI) and the risk of age-related cataract (ARC) in middle-aged and elderly men in Northeast China. A hospital-based case control study was conducted. Cases (n =362) were men who had surgically treated ARC, 45-85 years old; controls frequency-matched (n =362) were men who had been admitted to the same hospital as cases for other diseases not related with eye diseases. Cases and controls were matched with 1:1. The cases and controls were interviewed during their hospital stay, using a structured interviewer-administrated questionnaire that included information on sociodemographic characteristics, socioeconomic, lifestyle habits (tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, etc.), anthropometric measures, personal medical history, and family history of ARC in first-degree relatives, and simultaneously BMI was calculated. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of ARC were estimated using multiple logistic regression models. After adjusting for age and multiple potential confounders, higher BMI was associated with an increased risk of ARC. Cigarette smoking, years smoking or moderate cigarette smoking (1-29 cigarettes per day) had no relation with the risk of ARC (P>0.05), although patients smoking ≥30 cigarettes per day had an elevated risk of ARC as compared with the non-smokers (OR=1.55, 95% CI; 1.16-2.85, P=0.026). Higher BMI was associated with an increased risk of ARC. Both overweight and obesity was associated with an obviously increased risk for surgically ARC (OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.02-1.98, P=0.015 and OR=1.71, 95% CI: 1.32-2.39, P=0.013 respectively) compared to normal BMI. Then participants were grouped into quartiles of BMI (Q1 to Q4), compared to controls in the lowest quartile, the OR for cases in the highest quartile of BMI was 1.54 (OR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.08-2.46, P=0.022). The results of univariate analysis showed cigarette smoking was not associated with ARC formation for men with lower or normal BMI (P>0.05). Compared to the non-smokers, for men of overweight or obesity, cigarette smoking was associated with a significantly increased risk for surgically ARC (OR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.49-6.65, P=0.003 and OR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.63-13.21, P=0.002 respectively). Similarly, smokers in the highest quartile of BMI had approximately 1.5 times the risk of ARC as non-smokers in the lowest quartile (OR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.06-5.29, P<0.001). Followed multivariate models revealed that the association had never changed. Current cigarette smoking is positively related to ARC only among those who smoking 30 or more cigarettes per day. For men who are both overweight and obesity, cigarette smoking is associated with a significantly increased risk for ARC.

Genetic Polymorphisms in DNA Repair Genes OGG1, APE1, XRCC1, and XPD and the Risk of Age-Related Cataract

To analyze the association of the polymorphisms in 8-oxoguanine glycosylase-1 (OGG1), X-ray repair cross-complementing-1 (XRCC1), and AP endonuclease-1 (APE1) genes in the base excision repair pathway and xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D (XPD) in the nucleotide excision repair pathway with the risk of cataract in a Chinese population. Case-control study. Subjects with cataract (n = 415) or no cataract (n = 386) in the Age Related Eye Disease Ancillary Study. The study included 415 cataract patients and 386 controls. Genotyping was carried out by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Differences in the frequencies were estimated by the chi-square test, and risk was estimated by using unconditional logistic regression after adjusting for age and gender. Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in OGG1-Ser326Cys with the development of age-related cataract. The OGG1 Cys/Cys genotype frequency was significantly higher in cataract patients (P = 0.014; odds ratio [OR], 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.171-3.624). The OGG1 Ser/Ser genotype (P = 0.003; OR, 0.647; 95% CI, 0.487-0.860) seems to have a protective role against cataract, and the Cys allele (P<0.001; OR, 1.517; 95% CI, 1.204-1.911) seems to have a deleterious role in the development of cataract. The genotype frequency of the Ser/Ser of OGG1-Ser326Cys was significantly different in the cortical and mixed-type cataract group (P = 0.014; OR, 0.591; 95% CI, 0.391-0.893; and P = 0.035; OR, 0.639; 95% CI, 0.425-0.960; respectively), and the Cys/Cys genotype of OGG1-Ser326Cys was significantly different in the mixed-type cataract group (P = 0.012; OR, 2.610; 95% CI, 1.284-5.306) compared with that of healthy controls. In XRCC1-Arg399Gln, APE1-Asp148Glu, and XPD-Lys751Gln polymorphisms, there were no significant differences in frequencies of the variant homozygous in patients compared with controls. Results suggest that the Cys/Cys genotype of the OGG1-Ser326Cys polymorphism may be associated with increased risk of age-related cataract. However, in XRCC1-Arg399Gln, APE1-Asp148Glu, and XPD-Lys751Gln polymorphisms, there were no significant differences in frequencies of the variant homozygous in patients compared with controls.

Plasma lutein and zeaxanthin and the risk of age-related nuclear cataract among the elderly Finnish population

Oxidative stress plays an important role in cataractogenesis. Previous studies have shown that long-term dietary intake of antioxidants (lutein and zeaxanthin) may decrease the risk of age-related cataracts. The aim of the present study was to examine whether plasma concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin are related to age-related nuclear cataract in the elderly population. Subjects were participants in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study and they were classified into tertiles according to plasma concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin. The association of plasma lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations with age-related nuclear cataract in 1689 elderly subjects (aged 61-80 years) was investigated in the present cross-sectional study by using the Cox proportional hazards model. A total of 113 cases of incident age-related cataracts were confirmed, of which 108 cases were nuclear cataracts. After adjustment for age, examination year, sex, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, serum LDL-cholesterol, serum HDL-cholesterol, years of education, use of oral corticosteroids, history of diabetes and history of hypertension with current use of antihypertensive medication, subjects in the highest tertiles of plasma concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin had 42 and 41 % lower risks of nuclear cataract, respectively, compared with those in the lowest tertiles (relative risk (RR) = 0·58, 95 % CI 0·35, 0·98; P = 0·041 for lutein and RR = 0·59, 95 % CI 0·35, 0·99; P = 0·046 for zeaxanthin). In conclusion, we suggest that high plasma concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin were associated with a decreased risk of age-related nuclear cataract in the elderly population.

P2-338 Association of body mass index with risk of age-related cataracts in a middle-aged Japanese population

IntroductionMany epidemiological studies have demonstrated that body mass index (BMI) is associated with the risk of developing age-related cataracts. These reports have suggested that high and low BMIs can affect...

Association of body mass index with risk of age-related cataracts in a middle-aged Japanese population: the JPHC Study

Many epidemiological studies have demonstrated that body mass index (BMI) is associated with the risk of developing age-related cataracts. These reports have suggested that high and low BMIs can affect the onset or progression of age-related visual impairment. However, few prospective studies have examined this relationship in a general Asian population. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether BMI was associated with an increased risk of age-related cataracts by performing a 5-year prospective population-based study in a middle-aged Japanese population. This 5-year population-based study included 35,365 men and 40,825 women (aged 45-74 years), who were recruited into the Japan Public Health Center (JPHC)-based Prospective Study and had not reported cataracts in a baseline survey. The self-reported diagnosis of age-related cataracts was used in the analysis of this study. At follow up, 1,004 men (2.84%) and 1,807 women (4.43%) reported new diagnoses of age-related cataracts. The multivariate odds ratios (ORs) for those in the lowest and the highest BMI categories, compared with a BMI category of 21.0-22.9 as a reference point (OR, 1.00), were 1.29 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93-1.79] and 1.15 (95% CI 0.96-1.39) in men, and 1.23 (95% CI 0.97-1.55) and 1.19 (95% CI 1.04-1.36) in women. Previous studies have suggested high BMI as a risk factor of age-related cataracts for Caucasian populations in developed countries while low BMI for populations living in developing countries. In contrast to those studies, the present large-cohort study showed a U-shaped association between BMI and the incidence of cataracts in Japanese men and women.

Vitamin C supplements and the risk of age-related cataract: a population-based prospective cohort study in women

Experimental animal studies have shown adverse effects of high-dose vitamin C supplements on age-related cataract. We examined whether vitamin C supplements (approximately 1000 mg) and multivitamins containing vitamin C (approximately 60 mg) are associated with the incidence of age-related cataract extraction in a population-based, prospective cohort of women. Our study included 24,593 women aged 49-83 y from the Swedish Mammography Cohort (follow-up from September 1997 to October 2005). We collected information on dietary supplement use and lifestyle factors with the use of a self-administrated questionnaire. Cataract extraction cases were identified by linkage to the cataract extraction registers in the geographical study area. During the 8.2 y of follow-up (184,698 person-years), we identified 2497 cataract extraction cases. The multivariable hazard ratio (HR) for vitamin C supplement users compared with that for nonusers was 1.25 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.50). The HR for the duration of >10 y of use before baseline was 1.46 (95% CI: 0.93, 2.31). The HR for the use of multivitamins containing vitamin C was 1.09 (95% CI: 0.94, 1.25). Among women aged > or = 65 y, vitamin C supplement use increased the risk of cataract by 38% (95% CI: 12%, 69%). Vitamin C use among hormone replacement therapy users compared with that among nonusers of supplements or of hormone replacement therapy was associated with a 56% increased risk of cataract (95% CI: 20%, 102%). Vitamin C use among corticosteroid users compared with that among nonusers of supplements and corticosteroids was associated with an HR of 1.97 (95% CI: 1.35, 2.88). Our results indicate that the use of vitamin C supplements may be associated with higher risk of age-related cataract among women.