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Barbados Eye Study: Diabetes a major risk factor for cataract
Diabetes and high blood sugar were found to be modifiable risk factors for cataract development in a major study of a black population. The investigators in the Barbados Eye Study suggest that preventing and improving control of diabetes in this population may help reduce the risk of developing cortical and posterior capsular lens opacities.
The researchers evaluated risk factors over a 4-year period in participants in the population-based cohort study. A total of 3,193 black residents of the West Indies were included in the study. Of those, 2,040 were free of cortical opacities at baseline and 2,954 were free of posterior capsular (PSC) lens opacities at baseline.
Blood pressure, slit-lamp lens grading, fundus photography and a general ophthalmic exam were part of the standard exam protocol.
Over the 4 years, cortical lens opacities developed in 452 participants (22.2%). Risk factors for the development of these opacities were older age, female sex, low socioeconomic status and a history of diabetes. Ninety-seven participants developed PSC opacities (3.3%), and the risk factors for these opacities included history of diabetes and older age.
The study is published in the April issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.