Four-Year Incidence and Progression of Lens Opacities: The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study

Varma, Rohit; Richter, Grace M.; Torres, Mina; Foong, Athena W.P.; Choudhury, Farzana; Azen, Stanley P.; Los Angeles Latino Eye Study Group,

doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2009.11.012

« Previous Next »American Journal of Ophthalmology
Volume 149, Issue 5 , Pages 728-734.e2, May 2010

Four-Year Incidence and Progression of Lens Opacities: The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study

Rohit Varma
- Doheny Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Inquiries to Rohit Varma, Doheny Eye Institute, Suite 4900, 1450 San Pablo St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Grace M. Richter
- Doheny Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Mina Torres
- Doheny Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Athena W.P. Foong
- Doheny Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Farzana Choudhury
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Stanley P. Azen
- Doheny Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles Latino Eye Study Group

Accepted 5 November 2009. published online 24 February 2010.

Purpose

To estimate the 4-year incidence and progression of lens opacities.

Design

Population-based longitudinal study.

Methods

A total of 4658 adult Latinos from Los Angeles County were examined at baseline and 4-year follow-up. Examination included assessment of lens opacities using the Lens Opacities Classification System II (LOCS II). Incidences of cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular opacities (with LOCS II scores ≥2) were defined as opacity development in persons without that opacity at baseline. Single and mixed opacities were defined in persons without any opacity at baseline. Incidence of all lens changes included development of at least 1 opacity or cataract surgery among those without any opacity at baseline. Four-year progressions were defined as increase of ≥2 in LOCS II score.

Results

The 4-year incidence of all lens opacities was 14.2%. Four-year incidence of cataract surgery was 1.48%. The incidences were 4.1% for cortical-only, 5.8% for nuclear-only, 0.5% for PSC-only, and 2.5% for mixed. The incidences for any opacities were 7.5% for cortical, 10.2% for nuclear, and 2.5% for PSC. Incidence increased with age (P < .0001 for all). The progressions were 8.5% for cortical, 3.7% for nuclear, and 2.9% for PSC opacities.

Conclusions

Our Latino population had a higher incidence of nuclear than cortical opacities, but a greater progression of cortical than nuclear opacities. Incidence and progression of PSC was low. Additional understanding of the natural history and progression of various lens opacities will give us a better understanding of the pathogenesis and management of lens opacities.