Age- and Sex-Standardized Prevalence of Age-Related Cataract and Its Determinants; Tehran Geriatric Eye Study (TGES)

To determine the prevalence of cataract and its relationship with some determinants in individuals above 60 years.

Of 3792 subjects that were invited, 3310 participated in the study (response rate = 87.31%). All subjects underwent full optometric, slit lamp, and fundoscopic examinations. Then, their lenses were evaluated according to the World Health Organization cataract grading system after pupil dilation.

Age- and sex-standardized prevalence with 95% confidence interval (CI) of nuclear, cortical, posterior subcapsular cataracts (PSC), any type cataract, and all lens change was 53.09% (49.80 to 56.35), 23.02% (20.87 to 25.32), 5.57% (4.62 to 6.70), 58.78% (55.65 to 61.83), and 72.49% (70.14 to 74.71), respectively. Any type, nuclear, cortical, and PSC cataracts, had a positive association with age and an inverse association with education. Moreover, the prevalence of cortical and PSC cataract had an inverse association with economic status. Among all variables, age was the strongest determinant for cataract and its subtype.

This study found a higher prevalence of cataract compared to some previous studies such that about two-thirds of the geriatric population had cataract in the past or at the time of the study. Considering the association of cataract with variables such as economic status and education level, it seems that training and increased awareness and knowledge of the elderly population regarding the importance of eye care by physicians plays an important role in reducing the burden of cataract.