Retrodots in the Lens in the Beaver Dam Eye Study Cohort

Objective: To determine the prevalence of retrodots in the lens and the association of these lesions to age-related cataract, and to assess their association with visual impairment and contrast sensitivity. Design: Longitudinal epidemiologic study. Participants: The Beaver Dam Eye Study cohort. Methods: Eye examinations including grading of standard photographs of the lens and measures of visual function. Main Outcome Measures: Statistical associations of retrodots with nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular cataracts and with incident visual impairment and impairment of contrast sensitivity. Results: The prevalence of retrodots at the baseline examination increased with age from 1.68% in those 43 to 54 years of age to 31.20% in those >= 75 years of age. After controlling for age, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of retrodots between men and women. The odds ratio (OR) for visual impairment associated with retrodots was 2.22 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.80-2.75) after controlling for age-related cataracts and other associated characteristics. The association with impaired contrast sensitivity was not significant. Retrodots were not significantly associated with incidence of any type of age-related cataract. The 15-year cumulative incidence of retrodots in right eyes increased with age from 9.3% in those 43 to 54 years of age to 21.1% in those >= 75 years of age. In addition to age, incidence of retrodots was independently associated with smoking (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.04-1.56 for ever vs never smoking). Conclusions: Retrodots are frequently occurring age-related lens opacities that are associated with decreased vision independent of the presence of age-related cataract. Their incidence is associated with smoking. Further research to determine the underlying process leading to retrodots is necessary before efforts to develop preventions are undertaken.