Wynn M, Wynn A
Nutr Health. 1996;11(2):87-104. doi: 10.1177/026010609601100201.
British adults who were disabled by defective vision were estimated to number 1.668 million in 1988. Cataract is a most important cause of disability and blindness. Cataract develops earlier in life in populations with low income and inferior education. Cataract was shown to be associated with riboflavin deficiency in animals in the 1930s and subsequently with deficiencies of amino acids, vitamins and some minerals. In Britain and the U.S.A. there is a substantial spread in the intake of these micronutrients, the antioxidants and B vitamins, which have been shown to have low intakes in patients at higher risk of cataract. But there is little reliable information on the comparative importance of different micronutrients in Britain and longitudinal surveys relating diet to progression of cataract are recommended, which should also include non-nutrient risk factors for cataract such as smoking, medication and industrial chemicals.
据估计，1988年英国因视力缺陷而致残的成年人有166.8万。白内障是导致残疾和失明的一个最重要原因。在低收入和低教育水平人群中，白内障在生命早期就会出现。20世纪30年代的研究表明，白内障在动物身上与核黄素缺乏有关，随后又与氨基酸、维生素和一些矿物质的缺乏有关。在英国和美国，这些微量营养素、抗氧化剂和B族维生素的摄入量差异很大，而白内障高危患者的这些物质摄入量较低。但关于英国不同微量营养素的相对重要性，几乎没有可靠信息，建议进行将饮食与白内障进展相关联的纵向调查，调查还应包括白内障的非营养风险因素，如吸烟、药物和工业化学品。
