Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
13:56
Characterization of Molecular Mechanisms of In vivo UVR Induced Cataract
Published on: November 28, 2012
Baseline self-reported cataract and subsequent mortality in Physicians' Health Study I
W G Christen1, R J Glynn, U A Ajani
1Division of Preventive Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Ophthalmic Epidemiology
|August 10, 2000
Summary
A history of cataract in generally healthy men is not linked to increased mortality risk. Further research is needed to confirm if incident cataracts impact longevity.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cataract is a common age-related eye condition.
- Its association with overall mortality requires further investigation.
- Cataract may serve as a marker for aging and overall health status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if a self-reported history of cataract is associated with future mortality in male physicians.
- To investigate the relationship between baseline cataract and all-cause, cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular mortality.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 18,669 U.S. male physicians from the Physicians' Health Study I.
- Exclusion of participants with prior myocardial infarction, stroke, transient cerebral ischemia, or cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer).
- Follow-up for an average of 12.4 years, with deaths confirmed by an End Points Committee.
Main Results:
- 581 participants reported a history of cataract at baseline.
- No significant association was found between baseline cataract and increased risk of death from any cause (RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.91-1.30) after age adjustment.
- Cardiovascular (CV) and non-CV mortality risks were also not significantly increased (RR, 1.03 and 1.12, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Self-reported cataract history in healthy male physicians is not materially associated with increased mortality.
- Age adjustment is a key factor in this observed relationship.
- Further studies are planned to examine incident cataracts and their subtypes in relation to mortality.
