Age-related cataract is the main cause of blindness worldwide and is a major reason for visual impairment. Very few data, however, are available on its incidence and progression or the factors related to cataract growth. These data are urgently needed to develop possible control or prevention strategies. The proposed study represents a unique opportunity to obtain these data now in an effective manner by following a subset of the participants in the Lens Opacities Case-control Study (LOCS), an NEI-funded study of cataract risk factors. The LOCS protocol includes Neitz retroillumination, Zeiss slit and Topcon SL photography, as well as an ophthalmologic examination, laboratory testing and a comprehensive interview on risk factors. A follow-up study of LOCS participants thus offers several advantages. First, their lens photographs will serve as a baseline and follow-up photographs will measure cataract growth over time. Second, the large number of nutritional, biochemical, medical, familial, environmental, demographic and ophthalmologic data collected on LOCS cases and controls allows their evaluation as predictors of cataract growth at no additional cost. This application proposes a five-year Natural History of Lens Opacities Study (NHLOS) to: 1) obtain data on the incidence and progression of cortical, nuclear and posterior subcapsular opacities and 2) evaluate risk factors for cataract growth. To achieve these aims, 500 LOCS cases and 300 controls will be followed every nine months for repeated ophthalmologic evaluations and lens photography. Lens photographs will be assessed qualitatively with the LOCS II system of cataract classification to measure incidence and progression rates by type of opacity. Analyses of photographic images will provide quantitative data on progression. The NHLOS will provide, therefore, much needed data on the process and documentation of cataract growth. It will also relate numerous risk factors to subsequent cataract incidence and progression. As such, this study addresses a major need.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY008291-04
Application #
3265566
Study Section
Vision Research and Training Committee (VSN)
Project Start
1989-07-17
Project End
1994-06-30
Budget Start
1992-07-01
Budget End
1993-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
State University New York Stony Brook
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
804878247
City
Stony Brook
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
11794
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Leske, M C; Chylack Jr, L T; He, Q et al. (1997) Incidence and progression of cortical and posterior subcapsular opacities: the Longitudinal Study of Cataract. The LSC Group. Ophthalmology 104:1987-93
Leske, M C; Chylack Jr, L T; Wu, S Y et al. (1996) Incidence and progression of nuclear opacities in the Longitudinal Study of Cataract. Ophthalmology 103:705-12
Karbassi, M; Khu, P M; Singer, D M et al. (1993) Evaluation of lens opacities classification system III applied at the slitlamp. Optom Vis Sci 70:923-8
Chylack Jr, L T; Wolfe, J K; Friend, J et al. (1993) Quantitating cataract and nuclear brunescence, the Harvard and LOCS systems. Optom Vis Sci 70:886-95
Chylack Jr, L T; Wolfe, J K; Singer, D M et al. (1993) The Lens Opacities Classification System III. The Longitudinal Study of Cataract Study Group. Arch Ophthalmol 111:831-6