Abstract
Abstract: :
A literature review revealed no data on possible risk factors for waterclefts or retrodots, each of which are known to be independently associated with visual impairment. Purpose: To investigate risk factors for human lens cataract subtypes waterclefts and retrodots. Methods: Two nested case control studies, the host study comprised 1,078 subjects (> 55 years) attending the Somerset and Avon Eye Study (SAES). 197 watercleft cases (> Oxford Grade 0.2 in either eye) and 199 retrodot cases (> Oxford Grade 1.0 in either eye) were individually age/gender matched to controls. Detailed ophthalmic, and potential risk factor data covered: BMI, smoking, alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, analgesics, vitamin supplementation, nutrition, sunlight exposure, dehydration, hormonal (women), blood lipids, glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid, vitamin levels. Results: For waterclefts univariable analysis identified BMI, alcohol intake, vitamin status, sunlight exposure, urea, creatinine and uric acid as possible risk factors. After multivariable adjustment two remained, total number of ‘any’ analgesics in the previous year: adjusted P<0.01 (U–shaped risk profile, unadjusted high vs. medium use (as ref) OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.35–4.26 with medium use vs. none (as ref) OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.26–0.72); and total sunlight exposure: adjusted P=0.03 (unadjusted highest exposure vs. lowest (as ref) OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.11–9.50). For retrodots univariable analysis identified alcohol, HRT and lipids. After multivariable analysis two remained, mean number of alcohol units consumed per month, adjusted P=0.02 and HDL cholesterol levels, adjusted P=0.02 (unadjusted OR’s NS both). Conclusions: This is the first available information on risk factors for the cataractous human lens opacities waterclefts and retrodots.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • cataract