Baseline ophthalmic findings in the vitamin E, cataract and age-related maculopathy (VECAT) study

Purpose: To describe the methodology of eye examination and the baseline ey e characteristics or the Vitamin E, Cataract and Age-Related Maculopathy (V ECAT) study participants Methods: A sample of volunteers from an urban area of Melbourne, Australia, were recruited to participate in a randomized, controlled trial investigat ing the effect of vitamin E on the development of cataract and age-related maculopathy. Standardized eye examinations involved clinical assessment, wh ich included Wilmer grading of the lens, digital photography or the lens wi th Nidek EAS-1000 lens camera and stereo photography of the macular area wi th the Nidek 3-DX fundus camera. All cases of ophthalmic findings were dete rmined on the basis of pathology in the worse eye. Results: Most eyes were free from abnormalities. The most frequent findings were cataract and age-related macular changes. Nuclear cataract (nuclear o pacity grade greater than or equal to 2) was present in 4.5%, cortical cata ract (cortical opacity grade greater than or equal to 2) in 14.3% and poste rior subcapsular cataract in 3.0% of participants: in addition, coronary ca taract was observed in 13.6%. Soft drusen larger than 125 mu m were round i n 11.4%, retinal pigment epithelium changes in 9.5%, epiretinal membrane in 6.6% and age-related macular degeneration in 0.5% of participants. Summary: Due to the selection criteria, the majority of participants had cl ear or minor lens changes and/or minor retinal age-related changes. Precise instrumental documentation will allow an accurate assessment of the incide nce and dynamics of these changes throughout 4 years of observation.