Correlating serum lipid profile with age-related cataract: A clinical perspective

Abstract

Age-related cataract (ARC) is a major cause of visual impairment worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Growing evidence suggests that dyslipidaemia may be associated with cataractogenesis. This study investigated the association between the serum lipid profile and age-related cataract among adults attending a tertiary healthcare facility in south-eastern Nigeria.A hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka. A total of 210 participants were recruited, comprising 105 patients with ARC and 105 age- and sex-matched controls. Sociodemographic data and body mass index (BMI) were collected using structured questionnaires. Cataracts were diagnosed and classified as nuclear sclerotic (NSC), cortical (CSC), or posterior subcapsular (PSC) using slit-lamp bio-microscopy and direct ophthalmoscopy. Fasting blood samples were analysed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Data were analysed using SPSS version 23, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The mean age of ARC patients was higher than that of controls (65.9 vs. 61.0 years). NSC was the most common cataract subtype (51.4%), followed by PSC (28.6%) and CSC (20.0%). Dyslipidaemia was present in 84.8% of ARC patients. Serum TG and LDL-C levels were significantly higher, while HDL-C levels were significantly lower in ARC patients compared with controls (p < 0.05). Elevated TG levels significantly increased the odds of cataract occurrence and were the only significant predictor of cataract severity. These findings demonstrate a significant association between dyslipidemia and ARC, highlighting the importance of lipid screening and management in cataract prevention strategies.