The Association Between Refractive Errors and Cataract: The Tehran Eye Study
2011

Refractive Errors and Cataract: The Tehran Eye Study

Sample size: 1313 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Hashemi Hassan Khabaz, Khoob Mehdi, Miraftab Mohammad, Mohammad Kazem, Fotouhi Akbar

Primary Institution: Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Hypothesis

To determine the association between refractive errors and different types of cataract in Tehran, Iran.

Conclusion

Individuals with nuclear and posterior subcapsular cataracts showed a significantly higher prevalence of myopia, while the prevalence of hyperopia was lower in those with cataract.

Supporting Evidence

  • Myopia was more prevalent among those with cataract, with an odds ratio of 2.00.
  • 77.78% of those with cortical cataract were hyperopic.
  • The prevalence of myopia was significantly higher among subjects with nuclear cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract.

Takeaway

This study found that people with certain types of cataracts are more likely to be nearsighted, while those with cataracts are less likely to be farsighted.

Methodology

A cross-sectional survey with a stratified cluster sampling approach was used to test refractive errors under cycloplegia.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the cut-off points used to define refractive errors and types of cataract.

Limitations

The cross-sectional design does not allow for determining causal effects, only associations.

Participant Demographics

Mean age of participants was 52.7 years, with 58.3% being female.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001 for age-related hyperopia increase

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 1.38–2.89 for myopia association with cataract

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.4103/0974-9233.80705

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