Projected prevalence of age-related cataract and cataract surgery in Australia for the years 2001 and 2021: pooled data from two population-based surveys

Association between self-reported visual symptoms (suggesting cataract) and self-reported fall-related injury among adults aged ≥ 65 years from five low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

Cataracts may increase risk for falls but studies on this topic from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are scarce. Therefore, we examined the cross-sectional association between self-reported visual symptoms (suggesting cataract) and self-reported injurious falls in nationally representative samples of adults aged ≥ 65 years from five LMICs (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, and Russia).

METHODS

Data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) were analysed. Self-reported information on past 12-month fall-related injury and cataract based on symptoms were collected. Multivariable logistic regression and meta-analyses were conducted to assess associations.

RESULTS

Data on 13,101 people aged ≥ 65 years were analysed [mean (SD) age 72.5 (11.3) years; 45.2% males]. The overall prevalence of self-reported fall-related injury and visual symptoms (suggesting cataract) were 4.9% and 29.4%, respectively. There was a positive association between self-reported visual symptoms (suggesting cataract) and fall-related injury (i.e., OR > 1) in all five countries but statistical significance was reached in three: China (OR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.08-2.35), India (OR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.15-3.35), and Russia (OR = 3.58; 95% CI = 2.06-6.24). The pooled OR including all five countries based on a meta-analysis was OR = 1.88 (95% CI = 1.32-2.68).

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported visual symptoms (suggesting cataract) were associated with higher odds for self-reported injurious falls among older adults in LMICs. Expanding availability of cataract surgery in LMICs may also have the additional benefit of reducing falls among older people.

The risk of dementia or cognitive impairment in patients with cataracts: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate whether cataract disease is associated with the risk of developing dementia or cognitive impairment.

METHODS

A systematic search of the literature in PubMed, the Extracts Database (Embase), the Cochrane Library and the Web of Science databases was performed from the inception data of each database until 1 September 2022. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness and reliability of the overall findings. All extracted data were statistically analyzed using Stata software v.16.0. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and the Egger test.

RESULTS

There were 11 publications included in this study, which consisted of 489,211participants, spanning 10 countries from 2012 to 2022. Aggregation suggested that cataracts were associated with cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.21-1.43; I 2 = 45.4.%; p = 0.000). The presence of cataracts is significantly associated with an increased risk of developing all-cause dementia (relative risk [RR] = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.08-1.26; I2 = 0.0%; p = 0.000). In subgroup analyses, having cataracts may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.13-1.45; I2 = 0.0%; p = 0.000) and vascular dementia (HR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.06-1.73; I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.015). The data from the Egger's test showed no significant evidence of publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Cataracts are associated with the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia.

Vision Impairment and On-Road Driving

Good vision is important for safe driving. The impact of vision impairment associated with common eye diseases on driving performance, and the association between vision measures and driving performance, are discussed. Studies include those where participants drove a real vehicle on a closed road or on public roads. Closed-road studies include evaluation of both simulated and true vision impairment and day- and night-time driving. Collectively, the findings provide important insights into the impact of refractive conditions, cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and hemianopic field loss on driving; however, study results show varying impacts on driving performance and are often limited by small sample sizes. Vision measures including motion sensitivity, contrast sensitivity, and useful field of view have stronger associations with driving performance than do visual acuity or visual fields, with studies suggesting that some drivers with field loss can compensate for their field defects through increased eye and head movements.

A longitudinal analysis of factors associated with age-related cataract among older Australian women: a cohort study of 7851 older Australian women 79-90 years

BACKGROUND

Age-related cataracts are a significant global health issue due to population ageing. More than 70% of older Australians aged 80 or above have clinically significant age-related cataracts.

AIM

The study aimed to identify factors associated with age-related cataracts among older Australian women 79-90 years.

METHOD

A 6-year longitudinal analysis of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) was conducted on 7117 women from surveys four to six. The women were asked whether they had been diagnosed or treated for cataracts 3 years before each survey. We used generalised estimating equation (GEE) modelling to identify factors independently associated with age-related cataracts.

RESULTS

At baseline (79-84 years), 44.8% lived in metropolitan Australia, 67.9% had good general health, 26.5% had private health insurance, 30.6% had cataracts, 28.8% had undergone cataract surgery, 12.0% had diabetes, 24.9% had skin cancer, 56.2% had hypertension, 24.0% had a history of falls, 63.0% had visited general practitioner (GP) frequently, and 48.8% were driving themselves as their main means of transport. In the final model, poor general health [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.14, 1.33)], not driving (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.18), having private health insurance (AOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.23), frequent GP visits (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.25), skin cancer (AOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.16, 1.37), hypertension (AOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.21), and fall (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.22) were significantly associated with the age-related cataracts.

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic diseases, poor quality of life, driving cessation, and health service use were significantly associated with age-related cataracts in older women.

Speed management across road environments of varying complexities and self-regulation behaviors in drivers with cataract

Evidence suggests that drivers with cataract self-regulate their driving, but there is a lack of objective information. This study compared speed behavior in older drivers with and without cataract and how the parameter is influenced by road traffic complexity and driver characteristics. The study included 15 drivers with cataract and a control group of 20 drivers. Visual status was assessed using visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and intraocular straylight. Speed management was studied using a driving simulator. Driving difficulty and self-regulation patterns were evaluated by means of the Driver Habits Questionnaire (DHQ). The cataract group showed a significant decrease in visual function in all the parameters evaluated (p < 0.05). These drivers tended to drive at lower speeds than the control group. Road characteristics, gender, and intraocular straylight in the better eye were identified as significant predictors of speed management. Drivers with cataract experience greater driving difficulty, particularly when driving at night (p < 0.05). Drivers with cataract reduce their driving speed more than older drivers without visual impairment. The straylight parameter may be a good indicator of each driver's subjective perception of their own visual ability to drive. This work helps shed light on the mechanisms through which age-related visual impairment influences driving behavior.

Prevalence of cataract among Australian commercial airline pilots

Because little is known about cataract in pilots, we estimated prevalence by anonymously ascertaining all commercial airline pilots diagnosed with cataract 2011-2016 using the electronic Medical Records System of the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Of 14,163 Australian male commercial pilots licensed in 2011, 1286 aged ≥60 had biennial eye examinations showing a cataract prevalence of 11.6%. Among 12,877 pilots aged <60, based on compulsory eye examinations only when first licensed, prevalence was 0.5%. There was no significant difference by ambient ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels in state of residence though lowest prevalence was seen in the low-UV state of Victoria. Most cataract in pilots ≥60 years was bilateral and of mild severity, while cataract in pilots <60 were more likely to be unilateral and of greater severity.

Impact of vision disorders and vision impairment on motor vehicle crash risk and on-road driving performance: A systematic review

Vision is important for safe driving, but there is limited understanding regarding the impact of vision disorders on driving ability and safety. This systematic review evaluated and summarized evidence on the impact of vision disorders and impairment on motor vehicle crash (MVC) risk and on-road driving performance across seven databases, was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020180135), and study quality rated using a standard tool. Forty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria for MVC risk (N = 36), on-road performance (N = 9), and both MVC risk and on-road performance (N = 3). Of these studies, less than half were rated as 'good' quality. Due to the small number of studies and often conflicting findings, it was not possible to draw firm conclusions for most vision disorders. However, evidence from several 'good' and 'fair' quality studies suggested increased MVC risk with binocular visual field impairment. There was mixed evidence regarding the impact of cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and homonymous field loss on MVC risk and no evidence of increased MVC risk with mild VA impairment. This review highlights the need for well-designed future studies to further explore the impact of vision disorders and impairment on driving outcomes to inform evidence-based policy and fitness to drive guidelines.

Evaluation of the impact of cataract surgery on cognitive function in very elderly patients: a prospective, observational study

AIM

To evaluate the impact of cataract surgery on cognitive function in very elderly patients (≥ 85 years).

METHODS

A prospective, nonrandomized, comparative study of very elderly patients (≥ 85 years), and elderly patients (≥ 65 < 85 years) scheduled for first time cataract surgery. Cognitive function, quality of life (QoL), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell count (ECC), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were assessed at 90 days before surgery (T0), at surgery (T1), and at 30 (T2) and 90 days (T3) after surgery. Macular thickness (MT) was evaluated at T2. Six-item cognitive impairment test (6CIT) was used to evaluate cognitive function while the Catquest-9SF test was used to assess QoL. The confusion assessment method (CAM) was used to evaluate the presence of delirium episodes at within 48 h from T1.

RESULTS

A total of 78 patients (very elderly n = 24, elderly n = 54) were enrolled; average age 80.3 ± 6.2 years old. Significant improvements for cognitive function, BCVA, QoL (p < 0.01) during the observational period were observed among the cohort. A greater improvement in cognitive function was observed in the very elderly patients between T1 and T2 (p = 0.02), while there was no difference in BCVA and QoL between the groups. There were no significant differences in ECC and CCT changes between the groups. No delirium episodes or significant macular abnormalities were registered.

CONCLUSIONS

Cataract surgery in very elderly patients seems to offer a greater improvement in cognitive function as compared to elderly patients, and it is associated with a significant improvement in QoL, without any incidence of postoperative delirium.

Application of Andersen-Newman model to assess cataract surgery uptake among older Australian women: findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH)

INTRODUCTION

Although Cataract Surgery Rate is increasing, the availability of surgery is outstripped by the increasing number of cataract cases as populations age.

AIM

The study aimed to identify factors associated with cataract surgery uptake in terms of predisposing, enabling, and need factors in very old Australian women.

METHOD

This study used ALSWH data included 6229 women aged 79-84 to 85-90 years. Women were asked whether they had undergone eye surgery (including cataracts) three years prior to each survey. Generalised estimating equation modelling was used to determine factors associated with these surgeries.

RESULT

At baseline (2005), more than half of the participants either had undergone surgery (43.5%) or had unoperated cataracts (7.6%). Increasing age (AOR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.15) and being current or ex-smokers (AOR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.29) were associated with higher odds of cataract surgery (predisposing factors). Women who had private health insurance had 27% higher odds of having surgery (AOR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.16, 1.39) (enabling factor). Need factors of more General Practitioner visits (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.25) and skin cancer (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.17) also increased the odds of cataract surgery. Women who had no difficulty seeing newspaper print were more likely to have had cataract surgery (AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.23, 1.48).

CONCLUSION

Need factors are the major drivers of cataract surgery; however, predisposing and enabling factors also play a role, including access to private health insurance. This finding indicates some inequity regarding access to cataract surgery in the Australian setting.

Low-Grade Versus Medium-Grade Nuclear Sclerotic Cataract Density Produces Identical Surgical and Visual Outcomes: A Prospective Single-Surgeon Study

Purpose To determine whether the incidence of major complications and postoperative corrected distance visual acuity are comparable for surgery on low-grade versus medium-grade nuclear sclerotic cataracts. Design This was a prospective, consecutive, single-surgeon, no-exclusion study of 1025 cataract cases with one-month follow-up. Methods Patients were divided into two cohorts according to the nuclear sclerosis grade at presentation, as classified using the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) III. Cohort A, representing low-grade nuclear sclerotic cataracts (grades 1-2), consisted of 739 eyes, while Cohort B, representing medium-grade nuclear sclerotic cataracts (grades 3-6), consisted of 286 eyes. Results There was no significant difference in major intraoperative or postoperative complications (p>0.999) between Cohorts A and B. The mean logMar preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) in Cohort A was 0.245 as compared with 0.346 in Cohort B (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between cohorts for postoperative CDVA at one day (-0.168 versus -0.118; p=0.070), one week (-0.180 versus -0.147; p=0.405), or one month (-0.185 versus -0.161; p=0.569). Conclusions There was no significant difference in the incidence of operative complications or postoperative CDVA between the cohorts. These findings suggest that, in experienced hands, surgery for medium-grade nuclear sclerotic cataracts is equally effective and safe as compared with that for low-grade nuclear sclerotic cataracts.

Association of Age-Related Cataract With Skin Cancer in an Australian Population

Purpose

Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight contributes to age-related cataract and skin cancer. The EPHA2 gene is implicated in both these diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether age-related cataract and skin cancer are associated in a cohort of older Australians.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed using the Historical Cohort of the Registry of Senior Australians. Individuals aged ≥65 years or aged ≥50 years and of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, who had an aged care eligibility assessment between July 2005 and June 2015, and had a history of cataract surgery and/or skin cancer according to the Australian Government Medicare Benefits Schedule dataset, during the 3-year period prior, were evaluated (N = 599,316). A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine association and multiple hypothesis correction was employed.

Results

Of the evaluated individuals, 87,097 (14.5%) had a history of cataract and 170,251 (28.4%) a history of skin cancer. Among those with a history of cataract, 20,497 (23.5%), 1127 (1.3%), and 14,730 (16.9%) individuals had a concurrent history of keratinocyte, melanoma, and premalignant/solar keratosis, respectively. Those with a history of cataract were 19% more likely to have a history of skin cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], (1.17–1.21). Co-occurrence of keratinocyte skin cancer was 16% (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.14–1.18), melanoma 21% (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.13–1.29), and premalignant/solar keratosis 19% (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.17–1.22) more in the presence than absence of history of cataract.

Conclusions

Age-related cataract is positively associated with skin cancer and its subtypes, including premalignant lesions in an older Australian population.

The quest for homeopathic and nonsurgical cataract treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Age-related cataract occurs when crystallin proteins in the lens partially unfold and subsequently aggregate. Physicians and traditional healers alike have been exploring pharmacologic cataract treatment for hundreds of years. Currently, surgery is the only effective treatment. However, there are an abundance of homeopathic and alternative remedies that have been suggested as treatment for cataract. This article reviews the current understanding of cataract development and discusses several homeopathic remedies purported to treat age-related cataract. Additionally, we will present an overview of evidence regarding the development of pharmacologic cataract reversal therapies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Some homeopathic therapies have been shown to prevent cataract development in experimental models. More studies are required to elucidate the potential medicinal and toxic properties of the various alternative therapies. However, in recent years, scientists have begun to investigate substances that address cataract by reversing lens protein aggregation. One such compound, lanosterol, was reported to reverse cataract opacity in vitro and in animal models. Subsequently, 25-hydroxycholesterol and rosmarinic acid were identified as having similar properties.

SUMMARY

Although challenges and uncertainties remain, further research has the potential to lead to the development of a nonsurgical therapeutic option for age-related cataract.

Development and Reliability of an Appropriateness and Prioritization Instrument for Eye Care Practice: A Modified Delphi Process

Purpose: To modify the Western Canada Waiting List Project (WCWLP) cataract prioritization criteria into measurement instruments for assessing appropriateness and prioritization emphasizing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and examining reliability.Methods: A modified Delphi process was conducted using two rounds of online surveys and a face-to-face meeting. A panel of eye care experts rated the relevancy of criteria on a 5-point scale. Patient narratives highlighted the patient experience. A G-theory framework was used to assess inter- and intra-rater agreement using the criteria.Results: Nine Ophthalmologists, three Optometrists, and one General Practitioner participated in the modified Delphi process. Consensus to include/exclude was reached on all criteria. Seventeen criteria were included and 16 were excluded. The most significant changes were related to the categorization of comorbidities and expansion of HRQoL questions. The overall reliability was good (_ϕ = 0.852).Conclusion: The WCWLP was modified to include appropriateness and to better reflect HRQoL. Having achieved consensus and demonstrated reliability of the criteria, the next step is to estimate weights for criteria and to validate against patient health outcomes data.

The Contribution of Fluoride to the Pathogenesis of Eye Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Implications for Public Health

This study provides diverse lines of evidence demonstrating that fluoride (F) exposure contributes to degenerative eye diseases by stimulating or inhibiting biological pathways associated with the pathogenesis of cataract, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. As elucidated in this study, F exerts this effect by inhibiting enolase, τ-crystallin, Hsp40, Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, Nrf2, γ -GCS, HO-1 Bcl-2, FoxO1, SOD, PON-1 and glutathione activity, and upregulating NF-κB, IL-6, AGEs, HsP27 and Hsp70 expression. Moreover, F exposure leads to enhanced oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant activity. Based on the evidence presented in this study, it can be concluded that F exposure may be added to the list of identifiable risk factors associated with pathogenesis of degenerative eye diseases. The broader impact of these findings suggests that reducing F intake may lead to an overall reduction in the modifiable risk factors associated with degenerative eye diseases. Further studies are required to examine this association and determine differences in prevalence rates amongst fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities, taking into consideration other dietary sources of F such as tea. Finally, the findings of this study elucidate molecular pathways associated with F exposure that may suggest a possible association between F exposure and other inflammatory diseases. Further studies are also warranted to examine these associations.

The prevalence of visually significant cataract in the Australian National Eye Health Survey

PURPOSE

To describe the prevalence of visually significant cataract in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

METHODS

A total of 3098 non-Indigenous Australians aged 50 years and over and 1738 Indigenous Australians aged 40 years and over, residing in 30 randomly selected Australian sites, were examined as part of the population-based National Eye Health Survey (NEHS). For those with visual acuity worse than 6/12, photos of the anterior and posterior segment were taken with a nonmydriatic fundus camera and assessed for cataract. Visually significant cataract was assigned in eyes with best-corrected visual acuity worse than 6/12 and cataract that was determined to be the primary cause of vision loss in that eye.

RESULTS

In total, 99.2% (4797/4836) participants had complete data for visual acuity and cataract assessment. The overall weighted prevalence of visually significant cataract was 2.7% (95% CI: 2.0, 3.5) in non-Indigenous Australians and 4.3% (95% CI: 3.1, 5.9) among Indigenous Australians. After adjusting for age and gender, the odds of visually significant cataract were almost three times higher among Indigenous participants compared to non-Indigenous participants (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.95, 95% CI: 2.03, 4.29). Only 54.8% of non-Indigenous Australians and 38.9% of Indigenous Australians with visually significant cataract self-reported a known history of cataract.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that continued efforts are required to build sustainable cataract surgery services within Indigenous communities. Furthermore, given the significant ageing of the Australian population, maintaining high cataract surgery rates amongst the non-Indigenous population is critical to reduce cataract-related vision loss.

The national and subnational prevalence of cataract and cataract blindness in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Cataract is the second leading cause of visual impairment and the first of blindness globally. However, for the most populous country, China, much remains to be understood about the scale of cataract and cataract blindness. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of cataract and cataract blindness in China at both the national and subnational levels, with projections till 2050.

Methods

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Chinese Biomedicine Literature Database (CBM-SinoMed), PubMed, Embase, and Medline were searched using a comprehensive search strategy to identify all relevant articles on the prevalence of cataract or cataract blindness in Chinese population published from January 1990 onwards. We fitted a multilevel mixed-effects meta-regression model to estimate the prevalence of cataract, and a random-effects meta-analysis model to pool the overall prevalence of cataract blindness. The United Nations Population Division (UNPD) data were used to estimate and project the number of people with cataract and cataract blindness from 1990 to 2050. According to different demographic and geographic features in the six geographic regions in China, the national numbers of people with cataract in the years 2000 and 2010 were distributed to each region.

Results

In males, the prevalence of any cataract (including post-surgical cases) ranged from 6.71% (95% CI = 5.06-8.83) in people aged 45-49 years to 73.01% (95% CI = 65.78-79.2) in elderly aged 85-89 years. In females, the prevalence of any cataract increased from 8.39% (95% CI = 6.36-10.98) in individuals aged 45-49 years to 77.51% (95% CI = 71.00-82.90) in those aged 85-89 years. For age-related cataract (ARC, including post-surgical cases), in males, the prevalence rates ranged from 3.23% (95% CI = 1.51-6.80) in adults aged 45-49 years to 65.78% (95% CI = 46.72-80.82) in those aged 85-89 years. The prevalence of ARC in females was 4.72% (95% CI = 2.22-9.76) in the 45-49 years age group and 74.03% (95% CI = 56.53-86.21) in the 85–89 years age group. The pooled prevalence rate of cataract blindness (including post-surgical cases) by best corrected visual acuity (BCVA)<0.05 among middle-aged and older Chinese was 2.30% (95% CI = 1.72-3.07), and those of cataract blindness by BCVA<0.10 and cataract blindness by presenting visual acuity (PVA)<0.10 were 2.56% (95% CI = 1.94-3.38) and 4.51% (95% CI = 3.53-5.75) respectively. In people aged 45-89 years, the number of any cataract cases was 50.75 million (95% CI = 42.17-60.37) in 1990 and 111.74 million (95% CI = 92.94-132.84) in 2015, and that of ARC rose from 35.77 million (95% CI = 19.81-59.55) in 1990 to 79.04 million (95% CI = 44.14-130.85) in 2015. By 2050, it is projected that the number of people (45-89 years of age) affected by any cataract will be 240.83 million (95% CI = 206.07-277.35), and that of those with ARC will be 187.26 million (95% CI = 113.17-281.23). During 2000 and 2010, South Central China consistently owed the most cases of any cataract, whereas Northwest China the least.

Conclusions

The prevalence of cataract and cataract blindness in China was unmasked. In the coming decades, cataract and cataract blindness will continue to be a leading public-health issue in China due to the ageing population. Future work should be prioritized to the promotion of high-quality epidemiological studies on cataract.

The national and subnational prevalence of cataract and cataract blindness in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Cataract is the second leading cause of visual impairment and the first of blindness globally. However, for the most populous country, China, much remains to be understood about the scale of cataract and cataract blindness. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of cataract and cataract blindness in China at both the national and subnational levels, with projections till 2050.

Methods

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Chinese Biomedicine Literature Database (CBM-SinoMed), PubMed, Embase, and Medline were searched using a comprehensive search strategy to identify all relevant articles on the prevalence of cataract or cataract blindness in Chinese population published from January 1990 onwards. We fitted a multilevel mixed-effects meta-regression model to estimate the prevalence of cataract, and a random-effects meta-analysis model to pool the overall prevalence of cataract blindness. The United Nations Population Division (UNPD) data were used to estimate and project the number of people with cataract and cataract blindness from 1990 to 2050. According to different demographic and geographic features in the six geographic regions in China, the national numbers of people with cataract in the years 2000 and 2010 were distributed to each region.

Results

In males, the prevalence of any cataract (including post-surgical cases) ranged from 6.71% (95% CI = 5.06-8.83) in people aged 45-49 years to 73.01% (95% CI = 65.78-79.2) in elderly aged 85-89 years. In females, the prevalence of any cataract increased from 8.39% (95% CI = 6.36-10.98) in individuals aged 45-49 years to 77.51% (95% CI = 71.00-82.90) in those aged 85-89 years. For age-related cataract (ARC, including post-surgical cases), in males, the prevalence rates ranged from 3.23% (95% CI = 1.51-6.80) in adults aged 45-49 years to 65.78% (95% CI = 46.72-80.82) in those aged 85-89 years. The prevalence of ARC in females was 4.72% (95% CI = 2.22-9.76) in the 45-49 years age group and 74.03% (95% CI = 56.53-86.21) in the 85-89 years age group. The pooled prevalence rate of cataract blindness (including post-surgical cases) by best corrected visual acuity (BCVA)<0.05 among middle-aged and older Chinese was 2.30% (95% CI = 1.72-3.07), and those of cataract blindness by BCVA<0.10 and cataract blindness by presenting visual acuity (PVA)<0.10 were 2.56% (95% CI = 1.94-3.38) and 4.51% (95% CI = 3.53-5.75) respectively. In people aged 45-89 years, the number of any cataract cases was 50.75 million (95% CI = 42.17-60.37) in 1990 and 111.74 million (95% CI = 92.94-132.84) in 2015, and that of ARC rose from 35.77 million (95% CI = 19.81-59.55) in 1990 to 79.04 million (95% CI = 44.14-130.85) in 2015. By 2050, it is projected that the number of people (45-89 years of age) affected by any cataract will be 240.83 million (95% CI = 206.07-277.35), and that of those with ARC will be 187.26 million (95% CI = 113.17-281.23). During 2000 and 2010, South Central China consistently owed the most cases of any cataract, whereas Northwest China the least.

Conclusions

The prevalence of cataract and cataract blindness in China was unmasked. In the coming decades, cataract and cataract blindness will continue to be a leading public-health issue in China due to the ageing population. Future work should be prioritized to the promotion of high-quality epidemiological studies on cataract.

Visual performance in a flight simulator: multifocal intraocular lenses in pilots

Objective

To compare the performance of adults with multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOLs) in a realistic flight simulator with age-matched adults with monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs).

Methods and Analysis

Twenty-five adults ≥60 years with either bilateral MIOL or bilateral IOL implantation were enrolled. Visual function tests included visual acuity and contrast sensitivity under photopic and mesopic conditions, defocus curves and low luminance contrast sensitivity tests in the presence and absence of glare (Mesotest II), as well as halo size measurement using an app-based halometer (Aston halometer). Flight simulator performance was assessed in a fixed-based flight simulator (PS4.5). Subjects completed three simulated landing runs in both daytime and night-time conditions in a randomised order, including a series of visual tasks critical for safety.

Results

Of the 25 age-matched enrolled subjects, 13 had bilateral MIOLs and 12 had bilateral IOLs. Photopic and mesopic visual acuity or contrast sensitivity were not significantly different between the groups. Larger halo areas were seen in the MIOL group and Mesotest values were significantly worse in the MIOL group, both with and without glare. The defocus curves showed better uncorrected visual acuity at intermediate and near distances for the MIOL group. There were no significant differences regarding performance of the vision-related flight simulator tasks between both groups.

Conclusions

The performance of visually related flight simulator tasks was not significantly impaired in older adults with MIOLs compared with age-matched adults with monofocal IOLs. These findings suggest that MIOLs do not impair visual performance in a flight simulator.

The Prevalence and Causes of Vision Loss in Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians: The National Eye Health Survey

PURPOSE

To conduct a nationwide survey on the prevalence and causes of vision loss in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

DESIGN

Nationwide, cross-sectional, population-based survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Indigenous Australians aged 40 years or older and non-Indigenous Australians aged 50 years and older.

METHODS

Multistage random-cluster sampling was used to select 3098 non-Indigenous Australians and 1738 Indigenous Australians from 30 sites across 5 remoteness strata (response rate of 71.5%). Sociodemographic and health data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Trained examiners conducted standardized eye examinations, including visual acuity, perimetry, slit-lamp examination, intraocular pressure, and fundus photography. The prevalence and main causes of bilateral presenting vision loss (visual acuity <6/12 in the better eye) were determined, and risk factors were identified.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence and main causes of vision loss.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of vision loss in Australia was 6.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4-7.8). The prevalence of vision loss was 11.2% (95% CI, 9.5-13.1) in Indigenous Australians and 6.5% (95% CI, 5.3-7.9) in non-Indigenous Australians. Vision loss was 2.8 times more prevalent in Indigenous Australians than in non-Indigenous Australians after age and gender adjustment (17.7%, 95% CI, 14.5-21.0 vs. 6.4%, 95% CI, 5.2-7.6, P < 0.001). In non-Indigenous Australians, the leading causes of vision loss were uncorrected refractive error (61.3%), cataract (13.2%), and age-related macular degeneration (10.3%). In Indigenous Australians, the leading causes of vision loss were uncorrected refractive error (60.8%), cataract (20.1%), and diabetic retinopathy (5.2%). In non-Indigenous Australians, increasing age (odds ratio [OR], 1.72 per decade) and having not had an eye examination within the past year (OR, 1.61) were risk factors for vision loss. Risk factors in Indigenous Australians included older age (OR, 1.61 per decade), remoteness (OR, 2.02), gender (OR, 0.60 for men), and diabetes in combination with never having had an eye examination (OR, 14.47).

CONCLUSIONS

Vision loss is more prevalent in Indigenous Australians than in non-Indigenous Australians, highlighting that improvements in eye healthcare in Indigenous communities are required. The leading causes of vision loss were uncorrected refractive error and cataract, which are readily treatable. Other countries with Indigenous communities may benefit from conducting similar surveys of Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations.

Cataract surgery coverage rates for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians: the National Eye Health Survey

OBJECTIVE

To determine cataract surgery coverage rates for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

DESIGN

National cross-sectional population-based survey.

SETTING

Thirty randomly selected Australian geographic sites, stratified by remoteness.

PARTICIPANTS

3098 non-Indigenous Australians aged 50 years or more and 1738 Indigenous Australians aged 40 years or more, recruited and examined in the National Eye Health Survey (NEHS) between March 2015 and April 2016.

METHODS

Participants underwent an interviewer-administered questionnaire that collected socio-demographic information and past ocular care history, including cataract surgery. For those with visual acuity worse than 6/12, anterior segment photography and slit lamp examinations were conducted.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Cataract surgery coverage rates according to WHO and NEHS definitions; associated risk factors.

RESULTS

Cataract surgery coverage rates calculated with the NEHS definition 1 of vision impairment (visual acuity worse than 6/12) were lower for Indigenous than non-Indigenous participants (58.5% v 88.0%; odds ratio [OR], 0.32; P < 0.001). According to the World Health Organization definition (eligibility criterion: best-corrected visual acuity worse than 6/18), coverage rates were 92.5% and 98.9% for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians respectively. Greater age was significantly associated with higher cataract surgery coverage in Indigenous (OR, 1.41 per 10 years; P = 0.048) and non-Indigenous Australians (OR, 1.58 per 10 years; P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

The cataract surgery coverage rate was higher for non-Indigenous than Indigenous Australians, indicating the need to improve cataract surgery services for Indigenous Australians. The WHO definition of the coverage rate may overestimate the cataract surgery coverage rate in developed nations and should be applied with caution.

Cataract Surgery and Visual Acuity in Elderly Japanese: Results of Fujiwara-kyo Eye Study

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of prior cataract surgery and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in an elderly Japanese cohort. The Fujiwara-kyo Eye Study was a prospective, population-based, cross-sectional epidemiological study. The subjects were ≥68 years who lived in the Nara Prefecture and responded to recruitment notices. All of the subjects underwent comprehensive ophthalmological examinations, and the sociodemographic information and medical history, including prior cataract surgery, were obtained by answers to a questionnaire. The associations between the BCVA, age, sex, and history of cataract surgery were determined. A total of 2,873 subjects whose mean age was 76.3 ± 4.9 (mean ± standard deviation) years were studied. The mean BCVA was −0.020 ± 0.14 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units, and it was significantly better in the group with education ≥13 years (p < 0.01). Overall, 24.2% of the subjects had undergone cataract surgery, and 41.7% of the subjects ≥80 years had undergone cataract surgery. The incidence of prior cataract surgery increased with increasing age (p < 0.001 for trend). The mean BCVA of eyes with cataract surgery was significantly better than that of eyes without cataract surgery in subjects ≥80 years (p < 0.01). Visual acuity was generally good in this cohort of elderly Japanese subjects. In this cohort, 24.2% of the subjects had undergone cataract surgery, and the subjects ≥80 years had better BCVA than those without cataract surgery.

The conspicuity of pedestrians at night: a review

Drivers' visual limitations are a leading contributor to night-time traffic crashes involving pedestrians. This paper reviews the basic changes in vision that occur at night for young and old visually healthy drivers, as well as those with common ocular pathology. To maximise their safety at night, pedestrians should be conspicuous. That is, beyond being simply visible (detectable as an ambiguous object), they should attract the attention of drivers and be readily perceivable as pedestrians. Research has established that the conspicuity of pedestrians can be optimised by attaching retroreflective markings to the pedestrian's extremities. Doing so highlights the pedestrian's 'biological motion,' which facilitates the accurate perception of a person; however, retroreflective markings on the torso (for example, vests) are less effective. Importantly, behavioural evidence indicates that most road users - drivers and pedestrians alike - are not aware of the limitations of night vision. For example, drivers typically 'overdrive' the useful range of their headlight beams and under-use their high beam headlight setting. Further, pedestrians overestimate their own conspicuity at night and fail to appreciate the extent to which their own conspicuity depends on their clothing. The widespread misunderstanding of the challenges associated with night driving reflects a lack of awareness of the fundamental limitations of night vision. Educational interventions are needed to ameliorate these dangerous misunderstandings and to improve the safety of all road users at night.

Ocular disease and driving

As the driving population ages, the number of drivers with visual impairment resulting from ocular disease will increase given the age-related prevalence of ocular disease. The increase in visual impairment in the driving population has a number of implications for driving outcomes. This review summarises current research regarding the impact of common ocular diseases on driving ability and safety, with particular focus on cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, hemianopia and diabetic retinopathy. The evidence considered includes self-reported driving outcomes, driving performance (on-road and simulator-based) and various motor vehicle crash indices. Collectively, this review demonstrates that driving ability and safety are negatively affected by ocular disease; however, further research is needed in this area. Older drivers with ocular disease need to be aware of the negative consequences of their ocular condition and in the case where treatment options are available, encouraged to seek these earlier for optimum driving safety and quality of life benefits.

Road safety in an aging population: risk factors, assessment, interventions, and future directions

With the number of older drivers projected to increase by up to 70% over the next 20 years, preventing injury resulting from crashes involving older drivers is a significant concern for both policy-makers and clinicians. While the total number of fatal crashes per annum has steadily decreased since 2005 in Australia, the rate of fatalities has demonstrated an upward trend since 2010 in drivers aged 65 years and above (8.5 per 100,000), such that it is now on par with the fatality rate in drivers aged 17-25 years (8.0 per 100,000) (Austroads, 2015). Similar statistics are reported for the United States (NHTSA, 2012), implying there is a need for better identification of those older drivers who are unsafe and implementation of strategies that can enhance mobility while maximizing road safety.

Driver self-regulation and depressive symptoms in cataract patients awaiting surgery: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Cataract is an extremely common visual condition of ageing. Evidence suggests that visual impairment influences driving patterns and self-regulatory behavior among older drivers. However, little is known about the psychological effects of driver self-regulation among older drivers. Therefore, this study aimed to describe driver self-regulation practices among older bilateral cataract patients and to determine the association between self-regulation and depressive symptoms.

METHODS

Ninety-nine older drivers with bilateral cataract were assessed the week before first eye cataract surgery. Driver self-regulation was measured via the Driving Habits Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Visual, demographic and cognitive data were also collected. Differences between self-regulators and non self-regulators were described and linear regression modeling used to determine the association between driver self-regulation and depressive symptoms score.

RESULTS

Among cataract patients, 48% reported self-regulating their driving to avoid at least one challenging situation. The situations most commonly avoided were driving at night (40%), on the freeway (12%), in the rain (9%) and parallel parking (8%). Self-regulators had significantly poorer contrast sensitivity in their worse eye than non self-regulators (p = 0.027). Driver self-regulation was significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms after controlling for potential confounding factors (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Driver self-regulation was associated with increased depressive symptoms among cataract patients. Further research should investigate this association among the general older population. Self-regulation programs aimed at older drivers may need to incorporate mental health elements to counteract unintended psychological effects.

The impact of first eye cataract surgery on mental health contacts for depression and/or anxiety: a population-based study using linked data

PURPOSE

Cataract is the leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide, and the incidence of cataract surgery is projected to increase as the population ages. Gaining an understanding of the effects of cataract surgery on a range of health outcomes is important for maintaining the health and safety of older adults.

METHODS

A before and after cohort study was conducted using the Western Australian Hospital Morbidity Data System, Mental Health Information System and the Western Australian Death Registry.

RESULTS

Of the 21 110 patients who underwent cataract surgery in one eye only, 295 had mental health contacts for depression and/or anxiety 1 year before (n = 158) or 1 year after (n = 137) surgery. Results from Poisson generalized estimating equations showed a significant decrease of 18.80% (p ≤ 0.001) in the number of mental health contacts for depression and/or anxiety the year after cataract surgery after accounting for potential confounding factors. A 27.46% increase in mental health contacts the year after cataract surgery was reported by women compared with men (95% CI: 1.08-1.50). Those living in remote areas had less contact with mental health services compared with those living in metropolitan areas (adjusted risk ratio 0.62, 95% CI: 0.46-0.84). The corresponding reduction in health care costs for treatment of depression and/or anxiety was 28%.

CONCLUSION

Further research should be conducted to collect information on the utilization of health care resources not captured in this study, namely community-based services, visits to general practitioners and/or emergency departments as well as medication usage such as antidepressants.

Relationship of sociodemographic variables with outcomes after cataract surgery

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to analyse the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics of patients undergoing cataract extraction and their outcomes.

METHODS

The method comprised a prospective cohort study of patients recruited from 17 hospitals of different areas of Spain. Data gathered before surgery included sociodemographic variables, visual acuity, and visual function (using the Visual Function Index-14). After surgery, we assessed visual acuity and visual function at 6 weeks and at 3 months, respectively. Multivariate multilevel analysis was performed to assess the relationship of sociodemographic variables with changes in visual acuity and function, analysing whether improvements surpassed the minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs).

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis showed that for visual acuity, (i) older men had a lower odds ratio (OR) of surpassing the MCID (OR: 65-75 years, 0.64; >75 years, 0.51); (ii) those with primary (1.65) or secondary (1.41) education had higher ORs than those with no formal education; and (iii) those living in a residential home had a lower OR than men living alone (0.36). In women, we found that the higher the educational level, the greater the improvement in visual acuity (primary, 1.41; secondary, 1.76), whereas socially dependent women (0.70) were less likely to exceed the MCID. With regards to predictors related to achievement of an MCID in visual function, only dependency was associated with more improvement in men (OR: 1.39), whereas in women the educational level was the only predictor (primary: 0.72; secondary: 0.61).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that patients with certain sociodemographic characteristics were less likely to experience an MCID in visual acuity or visual function after cataract surgery.

A randomized, single-center study of equivalence of 2 intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To compare the outcomes of 2 intraocular lenses (IOLs) for the treatment of age-related cataracts.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized trial.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with age-related cataracts were recruited and randomized to receive phacoemulsification and implantation of either the AcrySof SA60AT lens (Alcon, Inc, Fort Worth, TX) or the low-cost Tecsoft Flex lens (Fred Hollows Foundation, Tilganga, Nepal). A total of 300 patients were available for description and analysis (148 in the AcrySof group and 152 in the Tecsoft group).

METHODS

Patients underwent phacoemulsification and implantation of the AcrySof SA60AT lens or the Tecsoft Flex lens. They were followed up and examined at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after cataract surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), best-corrected distance visual acuity (BDVA), incidence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO), Visual Function Index questionnaire results, and safety of the implanted IOLs.

RESULTS

No significant difference (P>0.05) was found in UDVA and BDVA after surgery between the 2 groups. The equivalence test of the 95% confidence intervals showed that both lenses had an equal improvement of UDVA and BDVA as well as similar rates of PCO after cataract surgery. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to visual functioning or the incidence of adverse surgical events during (P>0.05) or after (P>0.05) the surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The Tecsoft Flex IOL is a low-cost suitable alternative that is similar to the AcrySof IOL in terms of safety and visual outcomes.

Intraocular lens power calculation after myopic and hyperopic laser vision correction using optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE

To use optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure corneal power and calculate intraocular lens (IOL) power in cataract surgeries after myopic and hyperopic laser vision correction (LVC).

METHODS

Patients with previous LVC were enrolled in this prospective study at two centers (Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA and Cullen Eye Institute, Houston, TX, USA). Corneal power was measured with a Fourier-domain OCT system. The intravisit repeatability of OCT corneal power measurement was evaluated by the pooled standard deviation of repeat scans. Axial length, anterior chamber depth, and automated keratometry were measured with the IOLMaster. An OCT-based IOL formula was developed. The mean absolute error (MAE) of refractive prediction for OCT-based IOL formula was calculated. The results were compared with the MAE for Haigis-L formula.

RESULTS

A total of 31 eyes of 24 subjects who had uncomplicated cataract surgery with monofocal IOL implantation were enrolled in the two sites. Twenty-two eyes of 16 subjects had previous myopic LVC that ranged from -12.46 D to -0.88 D. Nine eyes of 8 subjects had previous hyperopic LVC that ranged from 0.66 D to 5.52 D. The intravisit repeatability of OCT corneal power measurement was 0.24 D. For the myopic LVC group, the OCT formula had a MAE of 0.57 D compared to an MAE of 0.73 D for the Haigis-L formula (p = 0.19). For the hyperopic LVC group, the MAE for OCT and Haigis-L formula was 0.26 D and 0.54 D, respectively (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal power can be precisely measured with OCT. The predictive accuracy of OCT-based IOL power calculation is equal to current standards for post-LVC eyes.

Interhospital variation in appropriateness of cataract surgery

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyse the inter-hospital variation in the appropriateness of cataract phacoemulsification in Spain.

METHODS

This observational, multicentre, prospective study involved patients aged 18-90 years. Each phacoemulsification intervention was classified as 'necessary', 'appropriate', 'uncertain' or 'inappropriate' according to explicit appropriateness criteria previously established using the RAND/UCLA methodology. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed, followed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, in order to examine the differences between hospitals.

RESULTS

In total, 5063 patients from 15 hospitals were enrolled. The percentage of patients in each hospital who inappropriately underwent phacoemulsification varied from 1.2% to 24.0% (P < 0.0001). The most common inappropriate scenario was that of patients with a simple, unilateral cataract with no limitation of their visual function, with a pre-surgery visual acuity of ≥ 0.5 in both eyes, and for whom surgical correction would involve low technical complexity.

CONCLUSIONS

The variation in appropriateness of phacoemulsification cannot be attributed solely to the clinical differences between the hospitals' patients. There is room for improvement in the appropriate indication of phacoemulsification. Measures based on the dissemination of appropriateness criteria might improve quality of care.

Psychological distress and visual functioning in relation to vision-related disability in older individuals with cataracts

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether demographic, health status and psychological functioning measures, in addition to impaired visual acuity, are related to vision-related disability.

METHODS

Participants were 105 individuals (mean age=73.7 years) with cataracts requiring surgery and corrected visual acuity in the better eye of 6/24 to 6/36 were recruited from waiting lists at three public out-patient ophthalmology clinics. Visual disability was measured with the Visual Functioning-14 survey. Visual acuity was assessed using better and worse eye logMAR scores and the Melbourne Edge Test (MET) for edge contrast sensitivity. Data relating to demographic information, depression, anxiety and stress, health care and medication use and numbers of co-morbid conditions were obtained.

RESULTS

Principal component analysis revealed four meaningful factors that accounted for 75% of the variance in visual disability: recreational activities, reading and fine work, activities of daily living and driving behaviour. Multiple regression analyses determined that visual acuity variables were the only significant predictors of overall vision-related functioning and difficulties with reading and fine work. For the remaining visual disability domains, non-visual factors were also significant predictors. Difficulties with recreational activities were predicted by stress, as well as worse eye visual acuity, and difficulties with activities of daily living were associated with self-reported health status, age and depression as well as MET contrast scores. Driving behaviour was associated with sex (with fewer women driving), depression, anxiety and stress scores, and MET contrast scores.

CONCLUSION

Vision-related disability is common in older individuals with cataracts. In addition to visual acuity, demographic, psychological and health status factors influence the severity of vision-related disability, affecting recreational activities, activities of daily living and driving.

Ability of N-acetylcarnosine to protect lens crystallins from oxidation and oxidative damage by radical probe mass spectrometry (RP-MS)

The application of Radical Probe Mass Spectrometry based on protein footprinting studies is described to investigate the effectiveness of the antioxidant N-acetylcarnosine (NAC) in preventing oxidative damage to lens crystallins present in the eye of mammals. Despite separate clinical trials which have reported the benefit of administering NAC to the eye as a 1% topical solution for the treatment of human cataract, no evidence was found to suggest that the antioxidant had any significant direct effect on reducing the levels of oxidation within the most abundant lens crystallins, α and β-crystallin, at the molecular level at increasing concentrations of NAC. The results of this laboratory study suggest that the therapeutic benefit demonstrated in clinical trials is associated with the nature or formulation of the topical solution and/or that the mode of action of NAC as an antioxidant is not a direct one.

An intraocular lens power calculation formula based on optical coherence tomography: a pilot study

PURPOSE

To develop an intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formula based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) that would not be biased by previous laser vision correction.

METHODS

Twenty-seven eyes of 27 cataract patients without prior laser vision correction who underwent phacoemulsification were included in the study. An optical coherence biometer (IOLMaster, Carl Zeiss Meditec) measured anterior corneal curvature and axial eye length. A high-speed (2000 Hz) anterior segment OCT prototype mapped corneal thickness and measured anterior chamber depth and crystalline lens thickness. Posterior corneal curvature was computed by combining IOLMaster keratometry with OCT corneal thickness mapping. A new IOL formula was developed based on these parameters. One month after phacoemulsification, the manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) was measured. The prediction error in postoperative MRSE of the OCT-based IOL formula was compared with that of three theoretic formulae: SRK/T, Hoffer Q, and Holladay II.

RESULTS

The mean prediction error in postoperative MRSE of the OCT-based formula was 0.04+/-0.44 diopters (D). The SRK/T was the best of the theoretic formulae, and its prediction error was -0.35+/-0.42 D. Twenty-one (78%) eyes were within 0.50 D using the OCT formula compared to 18 (67%) eyes using the SRK/T. No statistically significant differences were noted among the formulae.

CONCLUSIONS

For cataract patients without prior laser vision correction, the OCT-based IOL formula was as accurate as the current theoretic formulae. This new formula is based on direct OCT assessment of the posterior curvature and avoids the calculation errors inherent in conventional IOL formulae.

Dietary carbohydrate in relation to cortical and nuclear lens opacities in the melbourne visual impairment project

PURPOSE

In vitro and in vivo animal studies suggest that dietary carbohydrates play a role in cataractogenesis. Few epidemiologic studies have been conducted to evaluate this association. The objective of this study was to examine the cross-sectional associations between total carbohydrate intake, dietary glycemic index (dGI), and the risk of cortical and nuclear cataracts.

METHODS

After excluding 864 persons from 2473 eligible participants, 1609 eligible nondiabetic participants (mean age, 57.6 years, 55.9% female) in the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project (VIP) were enrolled. Dietary information derived from a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire and cataract status graded by the Wilmer protocol (cortical cataract: opacity >or=4/16; nuclear cataract grade >or=2) were collected. With the use of the generalized estimating approach to logistic regression to account for the lack of independence between the eyes of an individual, the associations between dietary carbohydrates and risk of cataract in eyes with no or a single type (pure) of cataract were examined.

RESULTS

Multivariate adjustment showed that pure cortical cataract (197 eyes) was significantly associated with total carbohydrate intake (odds ratio [OR] comparing the highest quartile with the lowest quartile = 3.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10-9.27; P(trend) = 0.017). The OR for nuclear cataract (366 eyes) comparing the third quartile of dGI with the first quartile (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.02-2.65) was significant, but there was not a consistent dose-response association (P(trend) = 0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

Carbohydrate intake may be optimized to prolong eye lens function. Because of the high proportion of subjects with missing covariates, these results warrant further study.

Prevalence and associations of cataract in indigenous Australians within central Australia: the Central Australian Ocular Health Study

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence and associations of cataract within the indigenous Australian population living in central Australia.

METHODS

1884 individuals aged > or =20 years, living in one of 30 remote communities within the statistical local area of 'central Australia' were recruited for this study. This equated to 36% of those aged > or =20 years and 67% of those aged > or =40 years within this district. Slit-lamp examination was performed. The degree and subtype of cataract was graded using the Lens Opacities Classification System III criteria. A cataract was defined as a nuclear opalescence > or =4.0, a cortical opacity > or =3.0, a posterior subcapsular opacity > or =2.0, a visual acuity worse than 6/12 or a visual acuity worse than 6/60 due to cataract. The prevalence of cataract in one or both eyes was presented for each of the definitions.

RESULTS

Nuclear opalescence cataract was present in 13.5% (18.5% of those > or =40 years); cortical opacity cataract was present in 13.1% (17.7% of those > or =40 years); and posterior subcapsular cataract was present in 15.8% (21.0% of those > or =40 years). 12.6% of patients (17.3% of those > or =40 years) and 4.4% of patients (5.9% of those > or =40 years) had a cataract that resulted in a visual acuity of worse than 6/12 and worse than 6/60, respectively. All cataracts were associated with advancing age. Posterior subcapsular cataract was associated with self-reported diabetes.

CONCLUSION

There is a higher prevalence of cataract among indigenous Australians living within remote central Australia compared with the non-indigenous population. Services for this population need to be designed with this in mind when planning resource allocation.

Adverse medical events associated with cataract surgery performed under topical anaesthesia

BACKGROUND

Cataract surgery in Australia is increasingly performed in an elderly population with multiple medical comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and type of adverse medical events associated with cataract surgery performed under topical anaesthesia with light sedation.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was undertaken for 631 consecutive cases of clear corneal phaco-emulsification and implant surgery performed under assisted topical anaesthesia, by a single surgeon (TR) in a private ophthalmic day surgery unit. In the 238 patients who underwent bilateral surgery, data from the first procedure for each patient were analysed, unless the second procedure was associated with greater morbidity.

RESULTS

A total of 393 procedures were included in the study. The mean age was 73 +/- 11 years with 75% of patients having at least one significant medical comorbidity. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (51%), gastro-oesophageal reflux (19%), angina and myocardial infarction (14%), diabetes (13%) and asthma (9%). Significant intraoperative adverse medical events requiring intervention occurred in four cases (1%): bradycardia occurred in three cases and hypotension in one case. None of these adverse events resulted in death or hospitalization. There were no postoperative adverse events, hospitalizations or deaths within 7 days. Minor changes in heart rate, blood pressure and oximetry not requiring intervention were observed in 35 cases (9%).

CONCLUSION

This retrospective analysis shows that cataract surgery performed under assisted topical anaesthesia is safe with a low rate of systemic complications despite being performed in an elderly population.