SENILE LENS CHANGES AND DIABETES IN 2 POPULATION STUDIES

Abstract

Clinical and epidemiologic studies of the association between senile cataract and diabetes have produced what initially appears to be conflicting evidence. Three studies of extracted cataract have found a positive association in persons less than 70 years old. Conversely, two studies of senile lens changes (including aphakia) reported no association with diabetes. These apparently disparate findings led to the hypothesis that the diseases are in fact not associated, but that diabetics are more likely to be referred to ophthalmologists and therefore to have cataracts removed. We tested this hypothesis with data from two population surveys, the Framingham Eye Study and the Health and Nutrition..