A study of morphology of cataract in western India

Abstract

Background: Population-based studies of lens opacity have suggested that the distribution of lens opacity types may differ between races. We report the prevalence of the different types of age-related cataract based on the LOCS III (Lens opacification classification system III) grading cataract among adults in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. Materials and Methods: Cataract was classified on examination of eyes with dilated pupils. Demographic data included age, sex, occupation, dietary habits (vegetarian or non-vegetarian), and tobacco use. Results: A total of 198 patients were included in the present study. The highest prevalence was that of nuclear sclerosis (NS), in its pure form (45.5%) or as mixed occurrence [3% NS+CC (cortical cataract) and 11.1% NS+PSCC (posterior sub-capsular cataract)]. The prevalence of NS was significantly higher (57.4%) in higher age group as compared to that in lower age group (33.7%). On the other hand, prevalence of NS+PSCC cases was more than double (26.5%) in lower (65 years) age group (11.1%). The type of occupation was significantly associated with type of cataract (χ2 = 11.64, P = 0.003); majority (50%) of the CC type and NS+PSCC type (41.2%) were farmers, whereas 50.8% of NS type were housewives. Majority of the diabetic patients (71.1%) belonged to NS type. Among the tobacco users 56.8% had the nuclear sclerosis type of cataract. Conclusions: Nuclear sclerosis was the most prevalent morphology of cataract in the study group.

Keywords

• Cataract
• morphology
• nuclear sclerosis