title: Cataract formation and prevention.
abstract: Cataract, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, is a multifactorial eye disease. In developing countries the incidence of cataract among young generations is not uncommon due to malnutrition, excess exposure to ultraviolet radiation and so on. In developed countries, age-related cataract affecting the population over 65 years of age is a major concern. Oxidative stress was suggested to inflict damage to the lens and induce opacification, and a variety of antioxidant nutrients were tested for the prevention or delay of cataract development. Although promising results were obtained in animal studies of various antioxidants, epidemiological studies on human populations do not seem to support their protective effects unequivocally. It is unlikely that age-related cataract in man, similar to the ageing process itself, will be prevented or delayed by therapeutic drugs in the foreseeable future. At present, keeping a health-conscious life style (i.e., no smoking) may be the most effective and least expensive strategy to prevent the onset of age-related cataract.
authors.affiliation: Kresge Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4717 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. hshichi@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shichi
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D006801:Humans; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012307:Risk Factors; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D015262:Xenobiotics