RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CATARACT AND ITS SUBTYPES AMONGST INDIAN POPULATION- AN INTERSTATE STUDY (AGED ≥21 YEARS)

Abstract

To assess risk factors associated with cataract and its subtypes an inter-state cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 participants aged ≥21 yearsbelonging to states of Telangana, Karnataka and Bihar. The results of the multivariate analysis revealed that overall incidence of nuclear cataract (76.5%) was higher when compared to cortical cataract (17.5%) and PSC (6%). Risk increased linearly with age. Notably high incidence was observed in participants withLow BMI. About 69.2% individuals affected with cataract were exposed to sun for 7 or more hours per day. Nuclear (P = 0.02) and Cortical (P = 0.01) cataract cases increased significantly with increased consumption frequency of Rice. Use of solid fuel unimproved stove had debilitating effect on cataract incidence. The study recommends further exploration with regards to increased risk associated with low BMI and consumption frequency rice which can prove to be beneficial in alleviating the cataract incidence rate amongst Indians.