Incidence of age-related cataract over a 10-year interval: the Beaver Dam Eye Study.
OBJECTIVE OR PURPOSE: To describe the cumulative incidence of age-related cataracts and cataract surgery over a 10-year interval.


METHODS
Prospective epidemiologic study.


METHODS
Persons 43 to 86 years of age participating in the Beaver Dam Eye Study (n = 4926 at baseline, 2764 for baseline, 5-year and 10-year follow-ups).


METHODS
Questionnaires and examinations were performed according to standardized protocols in a clinic setting in the town of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Lens photographs were obtained with specially modified cameras and were graded according to codified rules by trained graders.


METHODS
Nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular cataracts and cataract surgery.


RESULTS
In right eyes, incident nuclear cataract occurred in 19.4%, cortical cataract in 17.4%, posterior subcapsular cataract in 6.1%, and cataract surgery in 10.8%. Incidence increased for all end points with age. Women had significantly higher incidences of nuclear cataract and cataract surgery than men. Time trends seem to be influencing the incidence of cataract surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Age-related cataracts are common events in aging. Age-specific cataract surgery incidence seems to be increasing.
Klein
Barbara E K
BE
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin 53705-2397, USA.
Klein
Ronald
R
Lee
Kristine E
KE
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002386:Cataract / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology