Senile cataract has become a serious public health problem as the elderly population
is increasing worldwide. As lens with dark iris is reported to have a higher
prevalence of cataract, public health concern about cataract in Asia is a bigger
issue. Among factors assumed to be involved in the pathogenesis of cataract,
ultraviolet radiation (UV) has received much attention in accordance with the recent
problem of ozone column depletion. It has been agreed that UV induces cataract in
animal and biochemical experiments. However, in epidemiological studies, such
agreement has not been reached. There are many factors that should be considered and
controlled when investigating the association between cataract and UV.
In this review, we summarize major findings obtained so far on the relationship
between UV and cataract, and we discuss important factors that may be the cause of
disagreement in epidemiological studies. We also point out some of the research foci
which should be clarified and propose protective measures against UV induced
cataract.
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