Pterygium, pinguecula, and 5-year incidence of cataract.
OBJECTIVE
To assess longitudinal associations between pterygium, pinguecula, and 5-year incident cataract.


METHODS
Population-based cohort study.


METHODS
The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3,654 residents aged > or =49 years during 1992 to 1994 and reexamined 2,335 (75.1% of survivors) 5 years later. Slit-lamp examination recorded pterygium and pinguecula. Cataract was assessed using masked grading of lens photographs. Incidence was assessed in participants without cataract at baseline. Eye-specific data were analyzed using generalized estimating equation models, adjusting for age, sex, smoking, diabetes, and corticosteroid use.


RESULTS
Pinguecula was associated with a borderline-significant, increased risk of developing cortical cataract (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 1.7). We found no significant association between baseline pterygium and the incidence of cortical, nuclear, or posterior subcapsular cataract.


CONCLUSIONS
Longitudinal data from the same study population provide weak support for cross-sectional associations between pinguecula and cortical cataract previously reported from our study.
Pham
Thuan Quoc
TQ
Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
Wang
Jie Jin
JJ
Rochtchina
Elena
E
Mitchell
Paul
P
D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D011625:Pterygium / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors