Prevalence and Risk Factors of Lens Opacities in the Elderly in Cuenca, Spain

Abstract

Purpose To estimate the prevalence of lens opacities in a group of elderly people and evaluate their relation with diverse risk factors. Methods Cross-sectional observational study of the cohort of all persons over the age of 64 years from an urban area and a rural nucleus of the province of Cuenca, Spain. Information on sociodemographic parameters and smoking was compiled using a structured questionnaire. A physical examination was made in which weight, height, and waist circumference were measured, and an ophthalmologic examination was made of visual acuity and lens opacities. Cataracts were classified using the method of the WHO cataract group. Results The study included 1155 subjects out of 1435 elderly persons who were invited to participate (response rate 80.5%). The prevalence of cataract in men was 69.2% and in women, 65.5% (p>0.05). The percentage of persons with aphakia/pseudophakia was 17.8% in men and 17.5% in women (p>0.05). In a logistic regression model, age, obesity of more than 35 kg/m2, and low educational level were associated with the presence of cataract or aphakia/pseudophakia. Conclusions The prevalence of cataract in people over 64 years is similar to that of other countries, but the prevalence of subjects with previous surgery for cataracts is the highest reported in the literature. Age, body mass index of more than 35 kg/m2, and low educational level were associated with the probability of having cataracts or undergoing surgery for cataracts. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2007; 17: 29–37)

Relationship between socioeconomic and lifestyle factors and cataracts in Koreans: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2011

“…In the United States and Europe, higher education levels were associated with a decreased risk of cataracts in a prospective cohort study. 8,14 Income or education levels were inversely related to the 10-year cumulative incidence of nuclear cataracts in the Beaver Dam Eye Study. 7 Similar trends were also observed in studies performed in Asian countries such as Singapore, 11,15 India, 12 China, 10 and Bangladesh.…”

“…However, these studies have been performed mainly in Western countries including the United States, European nations, and Australia. [7][8][9] Although there has been recent data from China and Southeast Asia, including India and Singapore, [10][11][12] the data of population-based trends from other Asian countries, including the East Asian countries, have not been fully reported.…”

Visual impairment and quality of life: gender differences in the elderly in Cuenca, Spain

“…The characteristics of the study design and subjects have been described previously [26]. Briefly, a cross-sectional observational study was made of all people over 64 years old from two rural health centers and one urban health center (1,155 subjects), which provide health services for all the people in the area.…”

Epidemiology of Major Eye Diseases Leading to Blindness in Europe: A Literature Review

“…Moreover, existing studies focus for the most part only on a single eye disorder, such as AMD [12][13][14] , diabetic retinopathy [15][16][17] , glaucoma [18,19] or cataract [20,21] . Despite the high value of the data from these studies, there is still a pressing need for a complete picture of the epidemiological status of age-related eye diseases in Europe.…”