Assessment of aqueous humor zinc status in human age-related cataract

Age-related cataract is an ever-increasing health problem among the elderly population worldwide. In recent years, there has been speculation that the levels of micronutrients in ocular tissue may play a role in the pathogenesis of cataract, especially zinc, since it is found in high concentrations in the eye tissues, including the aqueous humor. 44 subjects diagnosed with cataract were chosen for study and matched with 21 healthy controls to determine the concentration of zinc in aqueous humor. The findings revealed that a significantly higher concentration of zinc was present in the aqueous humor of our study population compared to controls (p < 0.001). These findings, in agreement with several previous studies, amplify the need for further investigation to determine if these higher levels are in actuality a consequence of the disease or a factor in the formation of cataract. Copyright (C) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.