Ultraviolet Light Exposure and Risk of Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts

Abstract

Posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataracts are a visually disabling form of cataract and account for 40% of surgical cases. Although PSC opacities may occur following intraocular inflammation, trauma, or use of steroids, the cause is often unknown. A case-control study was undertaken to investigate the role of exposure to ultraviolet light in the B range (UV-B) and other potential risk factors for the development of PSC cataracts. Surgical PSC cataract cases from a large rural ophthalmic practice on the lower eastern shore of Maryland were matched with phakic controls without PSC cataract changes from the same geographic area by age, sex, and referral pattern. All patients with PSC opacities who ..