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Age-related cataract in the Tibet Eye Study
1Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|May 1, 1989
Summary
The Tibet Eye Study found a high prevalence of age-related cataract in Tibet, particularly among older adults. Cortical cataracts were the most common type, supporting previous suggestions of elevated cataract rates in the region.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Previous reports suggested an unusually high prevalence of age-related cataract in Tibet.
- High-altitude environments may influence ocular health, necessitating specific epidemiological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of age-related cataract in Duilong-Deqing County, Tibet.
- To compare cataract prevalence in Tibet with other regions.
Main Methods:
- A two-stage probability sample of 2665 individuals aged 20 years and older was examined.
- Age-related cataract was diagnosed based on visual acuity and lens opacity.
- Lens status was independently classified using standard photographs and slit-lamp examination.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of age-related cataract was 0.2% in those aged 20-39 and 11.8% in those 40 and older.
- Cortical cataracts were the most frequently diagnosed type.
- Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence in Tibet was 60% higher than in a comparable study in Beijing.
Conclusions:
- The Tibet Eye Study confirms a high prevalence of age-related cataract in Tibet.
- Findings support the need for targeted eye care interventions in high-altitude populations.