Possible associations between computed tomography scan and cataract: the Blue Mountains Eye Study.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined possible associations between the presence of cataract and a history of computed tomography (CT) scan of the head in an older population.


METHODS
The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 people aged 49 to 97 years who lived west of Sydney, Australia. As part of a medical history, participants were asked whether they had ever had a head CT scan. Masked grading of lens photographs assessed cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular cataracts.


RESULTS
No significant associations were found between history of head CT scan and age- and sex-specific prevalence of any type of cataract.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provided no evidence to support an association between routine head CT scans and development of cataract.
Hourihan
F
F
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Australia.
Mitchell
P
P
Cumming
R G
RG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects*