Lutein and zeaxanthin and the risk of cataract: The Melbourne Visual Impairment Project

Abstract

PURPOSE. To evaluate the association of cortical, nuclear, or posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataract with dietary intake of lutein-zeaxanthin (LZ) in a population-based sample. METHODS. For the study, 3271 (83% of the eligible residents) permanent residents aged a 40 years were recruited in 1992 to 1994 via a cluster random sampling. In 1997 to 1999, 2594 (79%) attended the follow-up examination including lens photography, a life-style questionnaire, and a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Cases were those with cortical opacity ≥4/16, nuclear opacity grade ≥2.0, or PSC opacity >1 mm2. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios for cataract by daily LZ intake, or its quintile i..