A Study of Prevalence and Risk Factors of Senile Cataract in Tea Garden Community in Dibrugarh District, Assam, India

PURPOSE To find out prevalence of senile cataract in tea garden community and its association with risk factors Methods A cross sectional study, community based study was undertaken among adults aged 40 years and above in 10 randomly selected tea gardens of Dibrugarh district. Those eligible were subjected to interview and ocular examination using Distant Direct Ophthalmoscopy. The lens opacity was graded and classified after dilation using LOCS III system at the slit lamp for cataract. Result Out of 1200 eligible persons examined 384 persons were found to have cataract. Data analysis revealed prevalence of 32 %. On univariate analysis age, educational status, occupation, socioeconomic status, BMI, family history, history of sunlight exposure, smoking, alcohol consumption and severe diarrhea were found to be significantly associated with senile cataract and on multivariate analysis age, educational status, occupation, family history, smoking and alcohol consumption were found to be significantly associated with senile cataract. Conclusion Senile cataract appears to have a multi factorial etiology. Though the study provided some clues to the etiology of senile cataract in tea garden community, further studies are needed to know the specific role of these factors in the causation of cataract, so that any preventive or control measures could be initiated in the community.