AN ANALYSIS OF THE LEVELS OF SERUM SODIUM AND POTASSIUM IONS IN SENILE CATARACT PATIENTS

Back ground Senile cataract is one of the consequences of ageing. With ageing the alteration in membrane permeability of the lens epithelium coupled with the changes in sodium and potassium ion levels in aqueous humour may accentuate ionic imbalance within the lens and progression of cataract.Aim To compare serum sodium and potassium ion levels in senile cataract patients with that of normal individuals. Materials and methods 50 males with senile cataract were randomly selected from the outpatient facility of department of ophthalmology, Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai. 50 age matched males without senile cataract were taken as controls. Both cases and controls were on normal, mixed, south Indian diet. Individuals with secondary cataract, hypertension or diabetes, individuals on medications and disorders affecting serum sodium or potassium ion levels, dehydration, edema or on salt restricted diet were excluded from the study. After getting written informed consent, basal parameters were measured. Ophthalmic evaluation of all participants was done. Under strict aseptic precautions 2 ml of venous blood was collected and levels of serum sodium and potassium ions were estimated by auto analyzer Easylyte method.Results The data obtained was analyzed using Students t test. Serum levels of sodium ions were found to be higher in cases 142mEq per l than in controls 139.5mEq per l with a significance of less than 0.001. There was no significant difference in the serum levels of potassium ions in cases 4.192mEq per l compared to controls 4.136mEq per l.Conclusion An elevated level of serum sodium ions may be a risk factor for progression of senile cataract