title: Risk Factors for Nuclear and Cortical Cataracts: A Hospital Based Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate risk factors associated with nuclear and cortical cataracts among a hospital based sample of subjects in Southern India.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this hospital-based study, 3,549 subjects including 2,090 male and 1,459 female individuals aged 45 years and over were randomly screened for nuclear and cortical cataracts. Lens opacity was graded and classified after pupil dilation using the lens opacities classification system (LOCS) III at the slit lamp. Furthermore, participants were interviewed for lifestyle variables and dietary intake of carotenoids using a structured food frequency questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographic risk factors for cataracts included older age and lower socioeconomic status. Nuclear cataracts were associated with diabetes (OR = 6.34; 95% CI: 2.34-8.92%), tobacco chewing (moderate, OR = 3.04; heavy, OR = 4.62), cigarette smoking (moderate, OR = 1.58; heavy, OR = 1.87) and hypertension (OR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.25-2.78%). Cortical cataracts were associated with diabetes (OR = 15.03; 95% CI: 7.72-29.2%), tobacco chewing (moderate, OR = 2.16; heavy, OR = 2.32) and cigarette smoking (moderate, OR = 2.20; heavy, OR = 2.97). Higher dietary intake of lutein/zeaxanthin (L/Z) and β-carotene was associated (P < 0.001) with a lower risk of nuclear and cortical cataracts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher dietary intake of carotenoids is associated with a lower risk of cataracts. Nuclear and cortical cataracts are associated with various risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, cigarette smoking and tobacco, similar to studies conducted in other Asian and European populations, irrespective of ethnic origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Nutrition, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Bangera Sheshappa
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Mamatha
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Nutrition, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Bhatiwada
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nidhi
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Sushrutha Eye Hospital, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Chamrajnagar Anantharajiah
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Padmaprabhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Sushrutha Eye Hospital, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Prabhu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pallavi
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Nutrition, CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Baskaran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vallikannan
keywords: Carotenoids; Cataract; Cross-sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus; Risk Factors