Risk factors and visual outcome in presenile cataract

Objective: To study the risk factors and visual outcome in patients of presenile cataract. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted between January 2016 and January 2017 at a tertiary health care centre. Patients with cataract between age 35 and 55 years were selected. Risk factors like diabetes mellitus, high myopia, dermatological diseases and tobacco consumption were noted. Visual acuity was recorded and a detailed examination of anterior and posterior segments was done. Patients underwent cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was noted. Result: Out of 120 patients there were 47 males (mean age 45.43 ± 6.79 years) and 73 females (mean age 47.33 ± 6.08 years), mostly with bilateral eye involvement (n= 103). Most of the cases were idiopathic (65.9%) whereas association of other risk factors in order of frequency was: tobacco consumption (10.8%), high myopia and diabetes mellitus (7.5% each), prolonged period of outdoor work and long-term steroid use (3.3% each), and dermatological diseases (1.7%). Using Annova test, a significant difference preoperative and postoperative vision was found amongst all age groups (p= 0.032). Conclusion: Tobacco consumption is a strong risk factor for cataractogenesis above diabetes mellitus and high myopia in presenile age group. A significant visual improvement results after cataract surgery and lens implantation.