Self-reported Cataract Research Articles

The more smoking the more cataract: A study on smoking, snus use and cataract in a Swedish population.

To examine the prevalence of self-reported cataract and cataract surgery, and the incidence of cataract surgery, in relation to smoking and use of the moist smokeless tobacco product snus. In 2014/2015, individuals born in 1951 (n = 18 055) in the Västra Götaland County, Sweden, were invited to participate. Of these, 9743 (54%) accepted participation and 9316 (52%) remained after exclusion criteria were applied. Participants answered a questionnaire with items about eye conditions, smoking, snus, gender, education, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, corticosteroid use, diabetes mellitus, weight and height. Prevalence ratios (PRs) for self-reported cataract and cataract surgery were calculated. The incidence of cataract surgery was assessed, and hazard ratios (HRs) were presented. Having ever smoked was associated with a higher prevalence ratio of self-reported cataract (PR 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.35) and cataract surgery (PR 1.27, 95% CI 1.06-1.53), compared to those who had never been daily smokers. Currently, a smoker was associated with a higher HR of cataract surgery (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.04-1.74), as well as having been a former smoker (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.03-1.56). Total years of smoking were associated with an increased risk for cataract surgery (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08 for 5 years of smoking). Snus use was not associated with an increased prevalence of cataract or incidence of cataract surgery, except among women who were current snus users (HR for cataract surgery 2.04, 95% CI 1.16-3.60 n = 108). Smoking is associated with a higher prevalence of cataracts, and a higher incidence of cataract surgery, indicating a dose-response relationship. However, there was no firm association between snus use and cataract.

Understanding the cataract treatment disparities among older adults in India.

Cataract is a leading cause of global blindness, affecting around 33% of blind individuals worldwide. It significantly impacts individuals' well-being, independence, and quality of life, posing a substantial economic burden. India's rapidly ageing population necessitates an examination of cataract prevalence and treatment disparities. No attempts have been made to address socioeconomic variation in treatment disparities of effective cataract treatment coverage among older adults in India. This study utilises data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) conducted in 2017-18, that covered, 73,396 individuals aged 45 and above. Logistic regression, univariate, and bivariate analyses were employed to understand the variation of cataract and their associations with various demographic factors. Visual acuity tests and self-reported cataract data were used. The prevalence of cataract among older adults in India was 14.25%, with higher rates among females and the older adult. Socioeconomic disparities werelarge, with lower prevalence among those with higher education and urban residence. Despite the effectiveness of cataract surgery, disparities in treatment access and effective coverage persisted. Approximately 27.52% of older adults did not receive cataract treatment, and those who received out of them 28% did not receive effective treatment. The effective treatment was lower among female, less educated, and poor. Cataract remains a significant public health concern in India, particularly among older adults. The study highlights the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities in cataract treatment access and quality of care. Targeted interventions are needed to bridge these gaps, ultimately improving visual health outcomes and well-being among older adults in India.

Visual Impairment, Eye Conditions, and Diagnoses of Neurodegeneration and Dementia

Vision and eye conditions are associated with increased risk for Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRDs), but the nature of the association and the underlying biological pathways remain unclear. If causal, vision would be an important modifiable risk factor with viable population-level interventions. To evaluate potentially causal associations between visual acuity, eye conditions (specifically cataracts and myopia), neuroimaging outcomes, and ADRDs. A cohort and 2-sample bidirectional mendelian randomization (MR) study was conducted using UK Biobank participants and summary statistics from previously published genome-wide association studies on cataract, myopia, and AD. The participants included in the analysis were aged 55 to 70 years without dementia at baseline (calendar years 2006 to 2010), underwent genotyping, and reported on eye conditions; a subset completed visual acuity examinations (n = 69 852-71 429) or brain imaging (n = 36 591-36 855). Data were analyzed from August 15, 2022, through November 28, 2023. Self-reported cataracts, visual acuity, and myopia measured by refraction error. ADRD, AD, and vascular dementia were identified from electronic medical records. Total and regional brain volumes were determined using magnetic resonance imaging. The sample included 304 953 participants (mean [SD] age, 62.1 (4.1) years; 163 825 women [53.72%]); 14 295 (4.69%) had cataracts and 2754 (3.86%) had worse than 20/40 vision. Cataracts (hazard ratio [HR], 1.18; 95% CI, 1.07-1.29) and myopia (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.06-1.70) were associated with a higher hazard of ADRD. In MR analyses to estimate potential causal effects, cataracts were associated with increased risk of vascular dementia (inverse variance-weighted odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% CI, 1.26-2.92) but were not associated with increased dementia (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.98-1.50). There were no associations between myopia and dementia. In MR for potential reverse causality, AD was not associated with cataracts (inverse variance-weighted OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.96-1.01). Genetic risk for cataracts was associated with smaller total brain (β = -597.43 mm3; 95% CI, -1077.87 to -117.00 mm3) and gray matter (β = -375.17 mm3; 95% CI, -680.10 to -70.24 mm3) volumes, but not other brain regions. In this cohort and MR study of UK Biobank participants, cataracts were associated with increased risk of dementia, especially vascular dementia, and reduced total brain volumes. These findings lend further support to the hypothesis that cataract extraction may reduce the risk for dementia.

Cataract surgery utilization in Parkinson's disease: the english longitudinal survey on ageing.

Older adults with Alzheimer's disease are less likely to be offered cataract surgery than the general population, but these disparities have not been examined in the context of other neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Using data from the English Longitudinal Study on Ageing (ELSA), an ongoing, longitudinal population-based survey of older adults in England, we examined the relationship between PD and cataract surgery among adults 50 and older. We used logistic regression to measure the association between PD and history of cataract surgery at baseline. In longitudinal analyses of subjects with no history of cataract surgery at time of enrollment, we used semiparametric, discrete-time proportional hazards models to model the incidence of cataract surgery as a function of PD and other time-dependent covariates. Models were adjusted for demographic variables, self-reported comorbidities, and measures of daily activity limitation. We included data from 19,241 eligible ELSA respondents, of whom 231 (1.2%) reported a diagnosis of PD. PD was positively associated with a history of self-reported cataract surgery at baseline (OR 3.66, 95% CI: 2.55-5.26), but this did not remain significant after adjusting for confounders (OR 1.22, 95% CI: 0.75-1.98). Among subjects with no history of cataract surgery at baseline, PD was also not associated with incident cataract surgery (adjusted HR 1.32, 95% CI: 0.86-2.02). Unlike Alzheimer's disease, people with PD were no less likely to receive cataract surgery compared to those without PD.

Relationship Between Intraocular Pressure and Age: A Population-Based Study in Nepal.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased with age in a population-based study in Nepal, from a mean of 14.1mm Hg among those 60-64 years old to 13.0mm Hg among those 80 years old or older. Few studies have assessed the distribution of IOP from the Indian subcontinent, despite its large population and high burden of glaucoma. The objective of this study was to assess the distribution of IOP measurements from adults living in a lowland region of Nepal. In a population-based cross-sectional study, all individuals aged 60 years and older from an area of lowland Nepal were invited for an IOP assessment with a rebound tonometer. Of 160 communities (28,672 people aged ≥60y) enrolled, 79 (13,808 people aged ≥60y) were randomly selected for IOP testing. Of those eligible, 10,017 (72.5%) individuals underwent tonometry. Mean IOP decreased monotonically over 5-year age groups, from 14.1mm Hg (SD: 3.6) among those aged 60-64 years to 13.0mm Hg (SD: 4.2) among those 80 years or older. The 97.5th percentile IOP measurement was 21.0mm Hg for all age groups. In adjusted analyses, younger age, self-reported diabetes, and higher population density were each associated with higher IOP, and self-reported cataract surgery was associated with lower IOP. Mean IOP was lower among older individuals in Nepal, consistent with many studies from East Asia and in contrast to many studies from western populations. These results suggest that ethnic background might be a consideration when diagnosing ocular hypertension.

Retinopathy, Optic Neuropathy, and Cataract in Childhood Cancer Survivors Treated With Radiation Therapy: A PENTEC Comprehensive Review

Few reports describe the risks of late ocular toxicities after radiation therapy (RT) for childhood cancers despite their effect on quality of life. The Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (PENTEC) ocular task force aims to quantify the radiation dose dependence of select late ocular adverse effects. Here, we report results concerning retinopathy, optic neuropathy, and cataract in childhood cancer survivors who received cranial RT. A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases for peer-reviewed studies published from 1980 to 2021 related to childhood cancer, RT, and ocular endpoints including dry eye, keratitis/corneal injury, conjunctival injury, cataract, retinopathy, and optic neuropathy. This initial search yielded abstracts for 2947 references, 269 of which were selected as potentially having useful outcomes and RT data. Data permitting, treatment and outcome data were used to generate normal tissue complication probability models. We identified sufficient RT data to generate normal tissue complication probability models for 3 endpoints: retinopathy, optic neuropathy, and cataract formation. Based on limited data, the model for development of retinopathy suggests 5% and 50% risk of toxicity at 42 and 62 Gy, respectively. The model for development of optic neuropathy suggests 5% and 50% risk of toxicity at 57 and 64 Gy, respectively. More extensive data were available to evaluate the risk of cataract, separated into self-reported versus ophthalmologist-diagnosed cataract. The models suggest 5% and 50% risk of self-reported cataract at 12 and >40 Gy, respectively, and 50% risk of ophthalmologist-diagnosed cataract at 9 Gy (>5% long-term risk at 0 Gy in patients treated with chemotherapy only). Radiation dose effects in the eye are inadequately studied in the pediatric population. Based on limited published data, this PENTEC comprehensive review establishes relationships between RT dose and subsequent risks of retinopathy, optic neuropathy, and cataract formation.

Patterns and determinants of incident cataract surgery in China from 2011 to 2015 using a nationally representative longitudinal database

ObjectivesTo investigate incident cataract surgery and to investigate determinants of cataract surgery uptake in Chinese adults.DesignThis nationally representative longitudinal study recorded self-reported incident cataract surgery, and measured biological, clinical and...

Self-rated eyesight among healthy older Australians: Baseline results of the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons.

We aimed to describe the self-reported level of eyesight amongst a cohort of relatively healthy older Australian adults, and to investigate associations between poorer self-rated eyesight and demographic, health, and functional characteristics METHODS: The ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) study was embedded in a multisite trial which recruited independently living Australians from general practices (2010-2014). Self-rated eyesight was recorded on a paper-based questionnaire as Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, Very poor, or Completely blind at the baseline study wave RESULTS: Data from 14 592 participants (aged 70-95 years, 54.61% female) were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Eighty percent of participants reported excellent or good eyesight (n = 11 677). People with complete blindness were precluded from enrolling but 299 participants (2.0%) reported poor or very poor eyesight, and 2616 rated their eyesight as fair (17.9%). Lower levels of eyesight were associated with being older, female, fewer years of formal education, a primary language other than English, smoking, and self-reported macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinopathy, cataracts, and hearing problems (each p ≤ 0.021). People with lower levels of eyesight had a higher number of falls, frailty characteristics, and depressive symptoms, and lower mental and physical health functioning scores (each p < 0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Whilst most of these healthy older Australians reported good or excellent eyesight, a notable minority reported poor or very poor eyesight, and this was associated with a range of poorer health measures. These findings support the need for additional resources to prevent vision loss and associated sequelae.

Retinopathy, Optic Neuropathy and Cataract in Childhood Cancer Survivors Treated with Radiotherapy: A Report from the Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (PENTEC) Initiative

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Few reports describe the risks of late ocular toxicities following radiation therapy (RT) for childhood cancers despite their impact on quality of life. The Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (PENTEC) ocular task force aims to quantify the radiation dose dependence of select late ocular adverse effects. Here, we report preliminary results concerning retinopathy, optic neuropathy, and cataract in childhood cancer survivors who received cranial RT. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases for peer-reviewed studies published from 1980-2014 related to childhood cancer, radiotherapy, and ocular endpoints including dry eye, eye pain, keratitis/corneal injury, conjunctival injury, cataract, retinopathy, eye muscle damage, eyelid fibrosis/atrophy, and optic neuropathy. This initial search yielded abstracts for 2941 studies, 260 of which were selected as potentially having useful outcomes and RT data. Treatment and outcome data were extracted and used to generate normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models. <h3>Results</h3> We identified sufficient data to generate NTCP models for three endpoints: retinopathy, optic neuropathy, and cataract. Based on limited data, the model for development of retinopathy suggests 5% and 50% risk of toxicity at 42 Gy and 62 Gy, respectively. The model for development of optic neuropathy suggests 5% and 50% risk of toxicity at 57 Gy and 64 Gy, respectively. More extensive data were available to evaluate the risk of cataract, which we separated into self-reported versus ophthalmologist-diagnosed cataract. The models suggest 5% and 50% risk of self-reported cataract at 12 Gy and >40Gy, respectively, and of ophthalmologist-diagnosed cataract at 0 Gy and 9 Gy, respectively. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Radiation dose effects in the eye are poorly studied in the pediatric population. Based on limited published data, this PENTEC comprehensive review establishes relationships between radiotherapy dose and subsequent risks of retinopathy, optic neuropathy, and cataract. A lack of consistent radiotherapy data and outcome reporting in the literature prevented investigation of other ocular endpoints.

Pseudophakia and Lens Opacities in 70-Year-Olds in Gothenburg, Sweden; Gender Differences, Impact on Self-Reported Visual Function and Validation of Self-Reported Cataract and Pseudophakia.

PurposeThe study aimed at determining the prevalence and sex differences in cataract, pseudophakia, lens opacities and self-reported cataract in 70-year-old people in Gothenburg, Sweden. The purpose was also to identify correlations between lens opacities, visual acuity and subjective visual function, and to validate self-reported cataract and cataract surgery.Patients and MethodsPopulation-based cross-sectional study where participants (n=1182) answered questions about self-reported diagnosis of cataract and cataract surgery. A total of 1139 subjects completed the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire‐25 (NEI VFQ‐25), 560 subjects underwent ophthalmic examination including visual acuity and lens photography. t-test, Pearson chi-square and Mann–Whitney U-test were used for obtaining p-values. ANOVA (analysis of variances, Kruskal–Wallis, one-way) was used to compare VFQ-25 between 3 groups; no cataract, cataract and pseudophakia. To clarify the differences between specific pairs of groups post-hoc test (Bonferroni) was used after ANOVA.ResultsSelf-reported cataract was more common in women than in men (27.2% vs 19.1%, p=0.001, chi-square). Cataract surgery was reported by 16.3% of women and 12.6% of men (p=0.072). Upon eye examination, the prevalence of pseudophakia was 16.9% in women compared to 10.2% in men (p=0.020). The prevalence of cataract, including pseudophakia, was 31.9% in women versus 23.8% in men (p=0.033). Significant correlations (Spearman’s rho) were found between lens opacities and visual acuity. Self-reported cataract surgery showed a very high specificity and high sensitivity. The composite score from NEI VFQ‐25 was lower in people with pseudophakia than in people with/without cataract (p=0.012, Kruskal–Wallis).ConclusionThe prevalence of cataract including pseudophakia in 70-year-olds in Gothenburg is higher compared to previous studies in similar geographical areas. Also, it is more common in women than in men. The lack of significant sex differences in lens opacities may be due to cataract surgery at an earlier stage. Validation showed very good agreement between pseudophakia and self-reported cataract surgery.

Relationship Between Cooking Fuel and Lens Opacities in South India: A 15-Year Prospective Cohort Study

To determine whether exposure to unclean cooking fuels was associated with subsequent cataract progression as reported in previous cross-sectional studies. Prospective cohort study. This is a secondary observational analysis of the community-based Antioxidants in Prevention of Cataracts trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01664819). The exposure of interest was cooking fuel type, measured at baseline. Main outcome measures were baseline cataract severity and self-reported cataract surgery at a 15-year visit. Baseline and 15-year follow-up data were available for 798 and 579 participants, respectively. Wood or kerosene was used by 711 of 798 (89.1%) baseline participants, including 539 of 579 (93.1%) participants with complete follow-up. Cooking fuel type was not associated with cataract severity at baseline (P=.443). Of 8334 person-years of follow-up, 90 cataract surgeries were observed over 15 years (1.08 surgeries per 100 person-years; 95% CI=0.87-1.32). Use of wood or kerosene was not associated with 15-year incidence of cataract surgery relative to use of propane (adjusted P=.154). Cataract surgery was more common in older individuals (HR=1.1 per year, 95% CI=1.1-1.2, P < .001), those with baseline myopia (HR=2.1, 95% CI=1.2-3.5, P=.009), and women (HR=3.5, 95% CI=1.2-10.1, P=.019). This study found no association between unclean cooking fuels and cataract progression over a 15-year period. No other modifiable risk factors were associated with incident self-reported cataract surgery.

Factors associated with the presence of cataracts in the Peruvian population older than 50 years: a cross-sectional study

Background: Cataracts are a public health problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where the greatest limitations of health care systems are observed, making access to treatment difficult. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with the presence of cataracts in adults over 50 years of age in Peru. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical observational study was performed of data from the 2019 Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES – acronym in Spanish). The dependent variable was the self-reported diagnosis of cataracts (yes or no). Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were calculated using a generalized linear model of the Poisson family with a log link function to estimate factors associated with self-reported cataract diagnosis. Results: We analyzed the data of 8775 Peruvian adults older than 50 years; 1322 (16.68%) self-reported a diagnosis of cataract. A higher prevalence of having cataracts was associated with being aged 60-69 years (aPR: 1.40; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-1.61) and 70 years and older (aPR: 2.78; 95% CI: 2.44-3.18), identifying as being of native ethnicity (aPR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.16-1.47), having undergone ophthalmologic evaluation in the last 12 months (aPR: 2.29; 95% CI: 2.07-2.53) and having diabetes mellitus (aPR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.13-1.51). The prevalence of cataracts was lower in subjects belonging to the poorest wealth quintile (aPR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.43-0.70) and those with a higher level of education (aPR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.62-0.88). Conclusions: In Peru, one out of six adults older than 50 years self-reported a diagnosis of cataracts. People older than 60 years, being of native ethnicity, having had a visual acuity evaluation in the last 12 months and having diabetes were associated with a higher prevalence of cataracts. These factors should be considered when implementing strategies for health education, promotion and prevention to ensure access to early ophthalmologic care.

Self-reported cataract surgery and 10-year all-cause and cause-specific mortality: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

PurposeTo investigate the association of self-reported cataract surgery with all-cause and cause-specific mortality using a large-scale population-based sample.MethodsData from the 1999–2008 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey...

Factors associated with the occurrence of falls among older people with and without cataracts: Structural equation modelling analysis.

To identify the frequency of falls among older people with and without cataracts and to verify the association of sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural variables with the number of falls among community-dwelling older adults according to self-reported cataracts. Although the literature on the topic is vast, no studies were found that described the explanatory factors for the relationship between sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural variables with the occurrence of falls in older people, with and without cataracts, through models previously tested in mediation analysis. This is a cross-sectional and quantitative study guided by the STROBE, conducted with two groups: older people with (268) and without cataracts (689). For analysing the data, the path analysis was performed. The occurrence of falls among the older people with cataracts was higher than in the group without cataracts. In both groups, frailty and depressive symptoms were directly associated with a higher occurrence of falls. Among older people with cataracts, the lowest physical performance score and the highest sedentary behaviour were directly associated with the highest number of falls. Among the older people without cataract, the youngest age, the highest number of morbidities and functional disability for instrumental activities of daily living were directly associated with the occurrence of falls. The older people with cataracts have a higher frequency of falls. The factors associated with the occurrence of falls differ between the older people with and without cataracts. The expanded understanding of the factors associated with falls among community-dwelling older adults, differentiating those with and without cataracts, guides the health professional in the development and implementation of measures to reduce the occurrence of these events.

The association of cooking fuels with cataract among adults aged 50 years and older in low- and middle-income countries: Results from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE)

Reducing household air pollution and protecting eye health are essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There is contradictory evidence about the association between cooking fuels and cataract among adults aged 50 years and older. WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) was conducted in six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We used propensity-score method (inverse probability of weighting) and logistic regression to examine the association between cooking fuels and self-reported cataract. Odds ratio (OR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Overall, use of unclean fuels was associated with an adjusted OR of cataract of 1.42 (95%CIs, 1.29–1.56). In subgroup analysis, unclean cooking fuels increased 1.71 (95%CI, 1.46–2.01) and 1.53 (95%CI, 1.30–1.79) times the risk of cataract in India and China, respectively, whereas no association was found in other countries. In gender-stratified analyses, unclean fuel use was associated with a 1.27 (95%CI, 1.13–1.44) times risk for males and 1.67 (95%CI, 1.44–1.94) times risk for females. Higher cataract risk attributed to unclean fuels was observed among those aged over 60 (1.45; 95%CI, 1.28–1.64) than people aged under 60 (1.39; 95%CI, 1.20–1.62). OR was higher in rural area (1.74; 95%CI, 1.51–2.00) than urban area (1.24; 95%CI, 1.09–1.41). Our results indicate that unclean fuels may be associated with self-reported cataract, but it varied among different LMICs. Higher risk was found in females, people older than 60 years old and those who live in rural areas. The result of this study provides useful information to support transition to clean household energy and eye health promotion in LMICs. Greater efforts should be taken to protect vulnerable populations.

Alcohol Consumption and Incident Cataract Surgery in Two Large UK Cohorts

PurposeTo examine the association of alcohol consumption and type of alcoholic beverage with incident cataract surgery in 2 large cohorts.DesignLongitudinal, observational study.ParticipantsWe included 469 387 participants of UK Biobank with a mean age of 56 years and 23 162 participants of European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk with a mean age of 59 years.MethodsSelf-reported alcohol consumption at baseline was ascertained by a touchscreen questionnaire in UK Biobank and a food-frequency questionnaire in EPIC-Norfolk. Cases were defined as participants undergoing cataract surgery in either eye as ascertained via data linkage to National Health Service procedure statistics. We excluded participants with cataract surgery up to 1 year after the baseline assessment visit or those with self-reported cataract at baseline. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the associations of alcohol consumption with incident cataract surgery, adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, Townsend deprivation index, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and diabetes status.Main Outcome MeasuresIncident cataract surgery.ResultsThere were 19 011 (mean cohort follow-up of 95 months) and 4573 (mean cohort follow-up of 193 months) incident cases of cataract surgery in UK Biobank and EPIC-Norfolk, respectively. Compared with nondrinkers, drinkers were less likely to undergo cataract surgery in UK Biobank (hazard ratio [HR], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85–0.93) and EPIC-Norfolk (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.84–0.97) after adjusting for covariables. Among alcohol consumers, greater alcohol consumption was associated with a reduced risk of undergoing cataract surgery in EPIC-Norfolk (P < 0.001), whereas a U-shaped association was observed in the UK Biobank. Compared with nondrinkers, subgroup analysis by type of alcohol beverage showed the strongest protective association with wine consumption; the risk of incident cataract surgery was 23% and 14% lower among those in the highest category of wine consumption in EPIC-Norfolk and UK Biobank, respectively.ConclusionsOur findings suggest a lower risk of undergoing cataract surgery with low to moderate alcohol consumption. The association was particularly apparent with wine consumption. We cannot exclude the possibility of residual confounding, and further studies are required to determine whether this association is causal in nature.

Risk factors for self-reported cataract symptoms, diagnosis, and surgery uptake among older adults in India: Findings from the WHO SAGE data

ABSTRACT Visual impairments have a substantial impact on the well-being of older people, but their impact among older adults in low- and middle-income countries is under-researched. We examined risk factors for self-reported cataract symptoms, diagnosis, and surgery uptake in India. Cross-sectional data from the nationally representative WHO SAGE data (2007–2008) for India were analysed. We focused on a sub-sample of 6558 adults aged 50+, applying descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Nearly 1-in-5 respondents self-reported diagnosed cataracts, more than three-fifths (62%; n = 3879) reported cataract symptoms, and over half (51.8%) underwent surgery. Increasing age, self-reported diabetes, arthritis, low visual acuity, and moderate or severe vision problems were factors associated with self-reported diagnosed cataracts. Odds of cataract symptoms were higher with increasing age and among those with self-reported arthritis, depressive symptoms, low visual acuity, and with moderate or severe vision problems. Odds of cataract surgery were also higher with increasing age, self-reported diabetes, depressive symptoms, and among those with low visual acuity. A public health approach of behavioural modification, well-structured national outreach eye care services, and inclusion of local basic eye care services are recommended.

Occupational radiation exposure and excess additive risk of cataract incidence in a cohort of US radiologic technologists

ObjectivesPrevious analyses of cataract in radiation-exposed populations have assessed relative risk; radiogenic excess additive risk (EAR), arguably of more public health importance, has not been estimated. Previous analysis of a...

Cataract risk in US radiologic technologists assisting with fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures: a retrospective cohort study

ObjectivesTo assess radiation exposure-related work history and risk of cataract and cataract surgery among radiologic technologists assisting with fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures (FGIP).MethodsThis retrospective study included 35 751 radiologic technologists...

Occupational radiation exposure and risk of cataract incidence in a cohort of US radiologic technologists.

It has long been known that relatively high-dose ionising radiation exposure (> 1Gy) can induce cataract, but there has been no evidence that this occurs at low doses (< 100mGy). To assess low-dose risk, participants from the US Radiologic Technologists Study, a large, prospective cohort, were followed from date of mailed questionnaire survey completed during 1994-1998 to the earliest of self-reported diagnosis of cataract/cataract surgery, cancer other than non-melanoma skin, or date of last survey (up to end 2014). Cox proportional hazards models with age as timescale were used, adjusted for a priori selected cataract risk factors (diabetes, body mass index, smoking history, race, sex, birth year, cumulative UVB radiant exposure). 12,336 out of 67,246 eligible technologists reported a history of diagnosis of cataract during 832,479 person years of follow-up, and 5509 from 67,709 eligible technologists reported undergoing cataract surgery with 888,420 person years of follow-up. The mean cumulative estimated 5-year lagged eye-lens absorbed dose from occupational radiation exposures was 55.7mGy (interquartile range 23.6-69.0mGy). Five-year lagged occupational radiation exposure was strongly associated with self-reported cataract, with an excess hazard ratio/mGy of 0.69 × 10-3 (95% CI 0.27× 10-3 to 1.16× 10-3, p < 0.001). Cataract risk remained statistically significant (p = 0.030) when analysis was restricted to < 100mGy cumulative occupational radiation exposure to the eye lens. A non-significantly increased excess hazard ratio/mGy of 0.34 × 10-3 (95% CI - 0.19 × 10-3 to 0.97 × 10-3, p = 0.221) was observed for cataract surgery. Our results suggest that there is excess risk for cataract associated with radiation exposure from low-dose and low dose-rate occupational exposures.