Lens opacities, demographic factors and nutritional supplements in the Barbados Eye Study.

ABSTRACT

PIP: The associations between age-related lens opacities and nutritional supplementation and selected demographic factors were investigated in 4314 men and women 41-84 years of age enrolled in the Barbados Eye Study. The Lens Opacities Classification System II was used for grading. 1800 of these adults had lens changes (defined as any type of gradable lens opacities, a history of cataract surgery, or cataract too advanced to grade) in at least one eye; 229 had nuclear opacities only and 851 had cortical opacities only. In logistic regression analyses, older age and low socioeconomic status (assessed on the basis of educational and occupational status) were positively associated with both nuclear (odds ratio (OR), 1.90) and cortical (OR, 1.47) opacities. The average age of participants with lens changes was 68.2 years compared with 51.8 years among those without such opacities. Compared with men, women had an increased risk of cortical opacities (OR, 1.41). Regular use of nutritional supplements (primarily cod liver oil and multivitamins) was associated with a decreased risk of lens changes (OR, 0.78), especially cortical opacities (OR, 0.77). The association with nutritional supplements did not persist beyond 70 years of age, however. The potential of nutritional supplements to reduce cataract in adults under 70 years of age could have significant public health implications, but requires confirmation in controlled clinical trials.