Iris color and cataract: The blue mountains eye study

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between eye color and cataract. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study (N = 3654) was conducted near Sydney, Australia. Lens photographs were graded for cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular cataract. Iris color was assessed at slit-lamp examination by comparison with four photographic standards. RESULTS: Eyes with dark brown irises were more likely to have nuclear (adjusted odds ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 2.28) or posterior subcapsular cataract (adjusted odds ratio, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.57 to 3.98) than eyes with lighter-colored irises. CONCLUSIONS: People with dark brown eyes are at increased risk of cataract and should be encouraged to protect their eyes from direct exposure to sunlight. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.