Clinical Characteristics of Cataract and Visual Impairment in Working‐Age Adults: A 9‐Year Retrospective Cohort Study
- 1The Division of Ophthalmology and Vision Science Department of Ophthalmology The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou China zzu.edu.cn
- 2Henan International Joint Research Laboratory for Ocular Immunology and Retinal Injury Repair Henan Province Engineering Research Center of Fundus Disease and Ocular Trauma Prevention and Treatment Henan Children Eye Disease Prevention and Control Engineering Research Center Institute of Ocular Trauma of Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou China
Abstract
Purpose: To characterize cataract‐related visual impairment and clinical features in adults aged 18–50 years and to compare unilateral and bilateral cataract cases.
Methods: This single‐center retrospective cohort study reviewed data from patients aged 18–50 years who were diagnosed with cataract between January 2016 and October 2024. Demographic characteristics, systemic and ocular comorbidities, medication history, lifestyle‐related factors, cataract subtype, and ophthalmic examination findings were collected and compared between unilateral and bilateral cases.
Results: A total of 623 patients were included, comprising 272 patients with unilateral cataracts and 351 with bilateral cataracts. The mean age was 40.73 ± 7.55 years, and 278 patients were female. Frequently observed comorbid conditions included hyperlipidemia, high myopia, prior vitrectomy, prior excimer laser surgery, prior trabeculectomy, and uveitis. Posterior subcapsular cataract was the most common subtype in both unilateral and bilateral cases. Compared with bilateral cataract patients, unilateral cataract patients were diagnosed at a younger age, had worse best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation, and had higher rates of prior vitrectomy and uveitis.
Conclusions: Cataract in working‐age adults was frequently accompanied by metabolic and ocular comorbidities. Unilateral cataracts were characterized by younger age at diagnosis and poorer BCVA at presentation. Prior vitrectomy remained associated with unilateral cataract after multivariable adjustment. These findings may help ophthalmologists and clinicians identify younger cataract patients who require closer monitoring and individualized assessment.
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BibTeX
@article{xu2026clinical,
title = {{Clinical Characteristics of Cataract and Visual Impairment in Working‐Age Adults: A 9‐Year Retrospective Cohort Study}},
author = {Su Xu and Jingzhi Shao and Jingwen Zhang and Shanshan Du and Kexing Yan and Fengyan Zhang and Yi Mao},
journal = {Journal of Ophthalmology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1155/joph/6062456},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1155/joph/6062456},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Clinical Characteristics of Cataract and Visual Impairment in Working‐Age Adults: A 9‐Year Retrospective Cohort Study
AU - Su Xu
AU - Jingzhi Shao
AU - Jingwen Zhang
AU - Shanshan Du
AU - Kexing Yan
AU - Fengyan Zhang
AU - Yi Mao
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Journal of Ophthalmology
DO - 10.1155/joph/6062456
UR - https://doi.org/10.1155/joph/6062456
AB - Purpose: To characterize cataract‐related visual impairment and clinical features in adults aged 18–50 years and to compare unilateral and bilateral cataract cases. Methods: This single‐center retrospective cohort study reviewed data from patients aged 18–50 years who were diagnosed with cataract between January 2016 and October 2024. Demographic characteristics, systemic and ocular comorbidities, medication history, lifestyle‐related factors, cataract subtype, and ophthalmic examination findings were collected and compared between unilateral and bilateral cases. Results: A total of 623 patients were included, comprising 272 patients with unilateral cataracts and 351 with bilateral cataracts. The mean age was 40.73 ± 7.55 years, and 278 patients were female. Frequently observed comorbid conditions included hyperlipidemia, high myopia, prior vitrectomy, prior excimer laser surgery, prior trabeculectomy, and uveitis. Posterior subcapsular cataract was the most common subtype in both unilateral and bilateral cases. Compared with bilateral cataract patients, unilateral cataract patients were diagnosed at a younger age, had worse best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at presentation, and had higher rates of prior vitrectomy and uveitis. Conclusions: Cataract in working‐age adults was frequently accompanied by metabolic and ocular comorbidities. Unilateral cataracts were characterized by younger age at diagnosis and poorer BCVA at presentation. Prior vitrectomy remained associated with unilateral cataract after multivariable adjustment. These findings may help ophthalmologists and clinicians identify younger cataract patients who require closer monitoring and individualized assessment.
SN - 2090-004X
SN - 2090-0058
ER -