Introduction: Senile cataract is the commonest worldwide cause of treatable blindness, most often due to excess reactive oxygen species [ROS].
Anti-oxidant vitamins namely beta-carotene, ascorbate and tocopherol and enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), constitute rst line
defenses against ROS assault, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels indicate the total burden of lipid peroxidation in-vivo.
Objectives: We aimed to compare the levels of above ve analytes in senile cataract patients in contrast to apparently healthy controls and also
among smoking and non-smoking sub groups of both cases and controls.
Methods: A hospital-based case-control study, was conducted with 102 cases of senile cataract and 102 control subjects, following strict inclusion
and exclusion criteria. Recruited individuals were sub-categorized into smokers and non-smokers. After overnight fasting (12 hours), 10 ml blood
was drawn aseptically. Serum and plasma were separated and used for biochemical estimations of all ve analytes, following established
protocols. Levels were compared between cases and controls as well as between the smoking and non-smoking sub-sections of both groups.
Results: Signicantly lower levels of plasma ascorbate and serum tocopherol were seen in cases as compared to controls (P=0.0078 and P<0.0001
respectively). Signicantly lower levels of serum beta carotene (P<0.0001), tocopherol (P<0.0001), plasma ascorbate (P<0.0001), and SOD
(P<0.0001). Signicantly higher level of serum MDA (P= 0.0494) was seen in the smokers, as compared to non-smokers
Conclusions: Lowered serum tocopherol and plasma ascorbate were signicant factors leading to senile cataract. Furthermore, smoking was
found crucial in loss of anti-oxidant defenses and subsequent development of cataract.
Senile cataract-related accumulation of Lewis(x) glycolipid in human lens.