Background: Quantification of the association between the consumption of vegetables and risk of age-related cataract is still conflicting. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the evidence from epidemiological studies of vegetables consumption with the risk of age-related cataract.
Methods: Pertinent studies were identified by searching of PubMed and Web of Science. The random effect model was used to combine the results. Meta-regression and subgroups analyses were used to explore potential sources of between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias was estimated using Egger's regression asymmetry test.
Results: Finally, 9 articles involving 6,464 cataract cases and 112,447 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled results suggested that highest vegetables consumption level compared with lowest level was inverse with the risk of age-related cataract [summary relative risk (RR) = 0.723, 95% CI = 0.594-0.879, I(2) = 72.8%]. The associations were also significant in America [summary RR = 0.872, 95% CI = 0.791-0.960] and Europe [summary RR = 0.507, 95% CI = 0.416-0.619], but not in the other population. No publication bias was found.
Conclusions: Higher vegetables consumption might be inversely associated with risk of cataract.
Keywords: Vegetables; age-related cataract; meta-analysis.