Accumulated Low-level Lead Exposure Can Lead to Cataract Development in Men
Research suggests that reduction of lead exposure could decrease global incidences of cataract and blindness
Boston — Accumulated low-level lead exposure is suggested to increase the risk of several chronic aging disorders including hypertension and cognitive decline. Additional research has suggested that accumulated lead exposure could also increase the risk of age-related cataracts, the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment worldwide. Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), in using bone lead analysis of the tibia and patella, found that older men with high levels of lead in their tibia had a 2.5-fold increased risk of cataract compared to men with the lowest levels of lead. This suggests lowering accumulated lead exposure could help reduce risk of this serious condition. Details of this research are published in the December 8, 2004 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association.
In the United States approximately 20 percent of individuals in their 60s develop cataracts, and the prevalence increases to over 68 percent among those in their 80s. While cataracts are not life threatening, they do account for more than 40 percent of all cases of blindness worldwide, and the only way to treat them effectively is with surgery.
According to lead author Debra A. Schaumberg, ScD, OD, MPH of BWH, “This research suggests that reduction of lead exposure throughout a man’s lifetime should help reduce his chances of developing cataracts and of requiring cataract surgery. By preventing or delaying the onset of this condition, many instances of blindness worldwide could be prevented.”
In this study, Schaumberg and colleagues from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) analyzed data from 795 men 60 years and older who participated in the Boston-based Normative Aging Study (NAS). Between 1991 and 1999, these men had lead levels from their tibial and patellar bones measured as well as participated in eye examinations every three to five years. After analyzing the data, the researchers found that men with the highest levels of lead exposure in their tibia had a more than 2.5-fold increased risk of cataract compared with those with the lowest levels.
“Lead exposure continues to pose a significant public health problem,” said Schaumberg who is also an associate professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. “While lead exposure has been reduced over the past several decades, for example through the elimination of leaded gasoline, it has not been eliminated, and older Americans still have a significant amount of lead accumulated in their bodies. Because prevention of age-related cataracts is an important worldwide public health goal, this study adds to the evidence that continued reduction of lead exposure should be a priority.”
Please contact BWH Media Relations for more information at (617) 534-1600 or BWHMediaRelations@partners.org
Brigham and Women's Hospital is a 747-bed nonprofit teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a founding member of Partners HealthCare System, an integrated health care delivery network. BWH is committed to excellence in patient care with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery. The BWH medical preeminence dates back to 1832 and today that rich history in clinical care is coupled with its national leadership in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives, dedication to educating and training health care professionals, and strength in biomedical research. With $370M in funding and more than 500 research scientists, BWH is an acclaimed leader in clinical, basic and epidemiological investigation - including the landmark Nurses Health Study, Physicians Health Studies, and the Women's Health Initiative. For more information about BWH, please visit: www.brighamandwomens.org.
Send Feedback to: 
