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Barbara E. K. Klein, MD, MPH; Kristine E. Lee, MS; Lorraine G. Danforth, BS; Tracie M. Schaich, BS; Karen J. Cruickshanks, PhD; Ronald Klein, MD, MPH

Arch Ophthalmol. 2010;128(8):959-963. Published online June 14, 2010. doi:10.1001/archophthalmol.2010.138

Objective  To examine the relationship between the use of sun-sensitizing medications and cumulative incidence of age-related cataract.

Methods  Sun exposure was estimated from residential history of adults in the Midwestern community of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, which permitted calculation of Wisconsin sun-years at the baseline examination. Medication history was reported at each examination. Cataract presence was determined by standardized lens photographs that were taken at each examination and graded according to standard protocols.

Results  No significant effects were noted of Wisconsin sun-year exposure or use of sun-sensitizing medications on the cumulative incidence of any type of age-related cataract when controlling for age and sex. However, an interaction term combining Wisconsin sun-years and use of any sun-sensitizing medication was significant (P = .04) such that risk of cortical cataract is significantly higher for the joint risk group. Further controlling for the presence of diabetes mellitus, history of heavy drinking, and hat or sunglasses use did not alter the relationships.

Conclusions  Data suggest that the use of sun-sensitizing medications interacts with sun exposure to influence the risk of cortical cataract, a common age-related cataract. If confirmed, this finding may have important implications for medication use.

Author Affiliations: Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (Drs B. E. K. Klein, Cruickshanks, and R. Klein and Mss Lee, Danforth, and Schaich) and Population Health Sciences (Dr Cruickshanks), School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison.

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