Prevalence of age-related cataract in Ganzi and Shanghai. The Epidemiological Study Group.

It has been reported that the prevalence of cataract is much higher in plateau than that in plain regions. But the data are incomplete and can not be compared because of different examination methods and different diagnostic criteria. A small group of ophthalmologists was sent to Ganzi, Sichuan Province at the altitude of 3.393 m, and to Qinpu in the suburb of Shanghai which is at the sea level. In Ganzi 3,905 (91.97%) people including 822 Hans and 3,083 Zang and in Qinpu 3,101 (93.20%) were studied. Age-related cataract was diagnosed when there are cortical or nuclear, or mixed opacities; and aphakia due to previous extraction of age-related cataract. Direct method was used to standardize the data. The prevalence of age-related cataract in Ganzi is about 82% higher than that in Qinpu in all age groups; from age 16-60, the prevalence of age-related cataract in Ganzi is about 180% (in Hans) and 160% (in Zangs) higher than that in Qinpu. There is no significant difference in the prevalence of age-related cataract between the ethnic groups in Ganzi. In Ganzi, the sunshine hours per year are 1.28 times that in Qinpu, and the global radiation in Ganzi is 1.47 times that in Qinpu. The higher prevalence of cataract in Ganzi than in Qinpu may be due to the greater exposure to the sunshine on the Tibetan plateau. The differences in prevalence between males and females and between indoor and outdoor work are discussed.