Lens aging in relation to nutritional determinants and possible risk factors for age-related cataract

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether nutritional factors and possible risk factors for cataract influence the lens optical density (LOD). Design: Three hundred seventy-six subjects, aged 18 to 75 years, were recruited. In a cross-sectional design, serum was analyzed for lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, α-tocopherol, and cholesterol levels. Adipose tissue (n = 187) was analyzed for lutein level. The LOD and the macular pigment optical density (MPOD) were measured by spectral fundus reflectance. Results: The mean ± SD LOD at 420 nm was 0.52 ± 0.17. It showed a significant association with age (β=.008, P<001) and MPOD (β=-.096, P=.02). For subjects 50 years and younger (mean±SD LOD, 0.45±0.11), we found only a single significant β coefficient, for age (β=.006, P<001). For subjects older than 50 years (mean±SD LOD, 0.68±0.16), we found significant β coefficients for age (β=.011, P