Cataract associations with pinguecula and pterygium: the blue mountains eye study

Abstract PURPOSE: To determine associations between cataract types and pinguecula and pterygium. METHODS: The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3,654 persons aged 49 to 97 years near Sydney, Australia. A questionnaire was used to collect information on cataract risk factors. Slit-lamp examination recorded pinguecula and pterygium. Masked lens photograph grading assessed cataract. RESULTS: Pinguecula, found in 2,418 right eyes and 2,437 left eyes, was statistically significantly associated with cortical cataract (odds ratio [OR] = 1.40) after multivariate adjustment. Pterygium, found in 199 right eyes and 188 left eyes, was associated with posterior subcapsular cataract (OR = 1.90). CONCLUSIONS: Associations were found between cataract and the presence of either pinguecula or pterygium. These findings provide indirect support for Watermen Study findings, which link ultraviolet radiation to cataract.