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Cataracts in systemic diseases and syndromes.
1University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Current Opinion in Ophthalmology
|January 7, 1998
Summary
This review explores diseases linked to cataract formation, noting that while cardiovascular links are weak, associations with diabetes and oxidative stress persist. It highlights practical management and diagnostic insights for cataracts.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biochemistry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cataract formation is influenced by various systemic diseases and syndromes.
- Previous large-scale studies have largely dismissed links between cataracts and cardiovascular risk factors.
- Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of cataracts, including those induced by lasers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the basic science and complex aspects of diseases associated with cataracts.
- To discuss the practical management and diagnostic implications of cataract-related systemic conditions.
- To update the understanding of cataract pathogenesis, particularly the role of oxidative stress.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing epidemiological data, including the Beaver Dam Eye Study.
- Analysis of biochemical pathways involved in cataract formation.
- Synthesis of current research on systemic diseases linked to cataracts.
Main Results:
- While many cardiovascular risk factors are not associated with cataracts, glycated hemoglobin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol show a persistent link.
- Cataracts remain associated with systemic conditions like diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and specific syndromes.
- Oxidative stress is presented as a unifying factor in cataractogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the systemic associations of cataracts is crucial for diagnosis and management.
- Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the development of various cataract types.
- Bridging basic science with clinical practice is essential for addressing controversial management issues in cataracts.