Work Profile and Risk Factors of Presenile Cataract in the South Indian Population: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Purpose: The percentage of cataract in the working population in the age group of less than 50 years is on the rise. This study was done to assess the work profile and identify the modifiable risk factors for presenile cataract. Methods: Patients in the age group of 20–50 years presenting to the Out-Patient Department of Ophthalmology with presenile cataracts were recruited as cases. Controls were age-matched patients without cataract. All details were collected using a questionnaire. A complete ocular examination and blood investigation were done. For normally distributed continuous data, for differences between the two groups, the Student’s t test was used, as was the Wilcoxon rank sum test for non-normal data and the Chi-square test for categorical variables. To look for an association between cataract and the risk factors, logistic regression was done, and the results were reported as the odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, and P value. Results: Seventy-five cases and 75 controls were recruited for the study after informed consent. The odds of developing presenile cataract were eight times higher for blue-collar workers, with an odds ratio of 8.154 (P < 0.001). 52% were of lower socio-economic status in cases compared to 34% of controls (P 0.04). Underweight was a risk factor for presenile cataract, with an odds ratio of 28.064. (P 0.02). Conclusions: Blue-collar workers, people belonging to lower socio-economic status, and underweight were risk factors for presenile cataract in the current study. We recommend a periodic screening of cataracts in occupational health centres for all blue-collar workers. Measures to improve the general health of the presenile population need to be taken, which will also address the risk factors for presenile cataracts.

Keywords

• anaemia
• occupation
• presenile cataract
• socio-economic status
• underweight
• working population