Prevalence and risk factors of pre-senile lens opacities in the 1969-73 Vellore Birth Cohort

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Lens opacities (LO), commonly known as cataracts, are a leading cause of visual impairment globally.
• South Asian populations exhibit a higher prevalence and earlier onset of cataracts compared to other ethnicities.
• Understanding the specific risk factors in younger South Asian adults is crucial for early intervention and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of lens opacities (LO) in South Asian Indians aged 41-44 years.
• To identify predictors associated with the development of LO in this specific demographic.
• To provide insights into the early onset of age-related eye conditions in the South Asian population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1080 participants from the Vellore Birth Cohort in South India.
• Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations using the LOCS III classification for LO assessment and biochemical metabolic measurements.
• Multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify significant risk predictors for LO, including lifestyle and medical history.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of 'any cataract' was 13.8% in participants aged 41-44 years.
• Nuclear cataracts were the most common type (59.1%), followed by cortical (16.9%) and mixed cataracts (18.9%).
• Significant predictors for LO included a history of asthma (OR 4.51), HbA1C ≥6.5% (OR 2.29), hypertension (OR 1.73), and lower 25(OH) vitamin D levels (OR 5.56).

Conclusions:

• The high prevalence of LO at a relatively young age suggests an accelerated aging process in South Asian Indians.
• Asthma, elevated HbA1C, hypertension, and vitamin D deficiency are significant risk factors associated with LO in this population.
• These findings highlight the need for targeted screening and management of risk factors to prevent early-onset cataracts in South Asian adults.