[Senile cataract and trachoma in Tunisia]

Senile cataract is the major cause of curable blindness in Tunisia (51%). Other factors than advanced age seem to play a role in senile cataract. The simultaneous of senile cataract with the trachoma makes the surgical operation problematic. In order to evaluate the frequency of such risk factors, we have realized a prospective study in two groups of patients recruited in 4 hospitals centers in Tunisia. The two groups of patients were homogenous regarding to age (more than 45 old year) sex and geographic origins. Cataract was present in the first group (287), but not in the second group (169) risk factors which were evidenced are: diabetes or abnormal glucose test tolerance, high systemic blood pressure, especially diastolic, low education and non professional occupation, family history of cataract. Evolutive trachoma was found in 5.1% of cases compared to only 0.6% in controls (p = 0.02). Trachoma sequela were found in the two groups. The importance of an evaluation of such risk factors in senile cataract is raised.