[Cataract epidemiological study in west Sumatra].

A cataract epidemiology survey using a photo-documentation system was performed for people over age 40 who live in West Sumatra Island. The percent prevalence of cataracts, including early senile changes, were 28.7% in the 50 year-old population, 64.7% in the 60, 83.8% the 70 and 95.8% for people over 80. Prominent cataractous opacification was recognized in 8.8% the 50-59 year old population, 21.1% for those in their 60s, 38.7% for those in their 70s and 83.3% in people over 80. The most frequently observed cataract types were cortical and nuclear, followed by mixed types which had almost the same ratio. The incidence of nuclear cataracts was 3.5% and 8.5% in the 40-49 and 50-59 year-old population, respectively. The percent of nuclear cataracts seen in the 60 and 70 year-old population were 22.7% and 32.4%, respectively. Cataract incidence in 50-59 year-old diabetic subjects was significantly higher than that in non-diabetic subjects. Cataract incidence in 50-59 year-old subjects with high myopia was significantly higher than in cares of other types of refractive error. The main type of lens opacification seen in the high myopia cases was nuclear. Cataract prevalence in the 50 year-old age group who had received a high level of education was significantly lower than that of others.