Senile and presenile cataract. Survey of patients undergoing cataract surgery

Two groups of patients operated on because of cataract were compared: 106 patients from Poland and 103 patients from Norway. Mean age in the Polish group was 60 years and in the Norwegian 76 years. To explain the difference in age at operation the incidence of some cataract risk factors--diabetes, myopia, rural residence, outdoor occupation, cataract in family, steroid therapy, smoking and alcohol intake--were evaluated. Significant differences between these two groups were found only for rural residence, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking. The author suggests another possible factor causing earlier cataract formation among Polish patients.