title: Progression of lens opacities in cataract patients after one year.
abstract: We used the Lens Opacities Classification System II to clinically grade the lenses of 57 patients with age-related cataracts in at least one eye. Progression or regression in each lens region was defined as a one or more step change in the Lens Opacities Classification System II grading noted at 1 year and maintained at the 1 1/2 to 2 year visit (the validation visit). A validated change in a lens region in one eye of a patient was considered a change in that region for that patient. Person-specific rates of cataract progression at 1 year were 42% for nuclear, 32% for cortical and 10% for posterior subcapsular opacities. Corresponding regression rates were 5%, 4%, and 2% for nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular opacities, respectively. Progression rates were significantly greater than the regression rates only for nuclear and cortical opacities (p < 0.0005). These findings show the applicability of the clinical Lens Opacities Classification System II method in documenting and monitoring lens changes over time. The usefulness of person-specific analysis was also shown.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Genetics & Clinical Services Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Magno
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Datiles
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lasa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology; D002386:Cataract / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged