Relation between size at birth and age-related cataract

PURPOSE. TO determine whether poor fetal growth, as determined by size at b irth, is associated with an increased risk of age-related cataract. METHODS. A total of 741 men and women born in Sheffield, England between 19 22 and 1930 and whose size at birth was available were traced and invited t o take part in the study. Of these, 392 (53%) attended for ophthalmic exami nation. Lens opacity in these volunteers was graded using the Lens Opacitie s Classification System (LOCS) III. RESULTS. After adjusting for age, gender, gestational age, and risk factors for cataract there were no consistent associations between size at birth a nd age-related cataract. However, the odds ratio for nuclear cataract (opal escence) among subjects whose birth weight was more than 8 lb was 2.4 (95% CI 1.2 to 5.0) compared with those who weighed under 6 lb 12 oz at birth. R isk of cortical cataract by contrast fell with increasing birth weight, but the trend was not significant and became weak after adjusting for gestatio nal age and other risk factors for cataract. No relation was evident betwee n risk of posterior subcapsular cataract and size at birth. CONCLUSIONS. There is no consistent association between size at birth and a ge-related cataract. The higher risk of nuclear cataract with increased bir th weight was contrary to the expected trend. The apparent difference in di rection of the relation between birth weight and different subtypes of cata ract may be a chance finding but warrants further exploration.