Cataracts are a prevalent ophthalmic disease worldwide, and research on the risk factors for cataracts occurrence is actively being conducted. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nutrient intake and cataracts in the older adult population in Korea. We analyzed data from Korean adults over the age of 60 years (cataract: 2137, non-cataract: 3497) using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We performed univariate simple and multiple logistic regressions, adjusting for socio-demographic, medical history, and lifestyle, to identify the associations between nutrient intake and cataracts. A higher intake of vitamin B1 in the male group was associated with a lower incidence of cataracts. A lower intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A, and a higher intake of vitamin B2 in the female group were associated with a higher incidence of cataracts. Our study demonstrated that polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin B2 could affect the incidence of cataracts according to sex. The findings could be used to control nutrient intake for cataract prevention.
Keywords: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; cataract risk factors; cataracts in the elderly; lens; nutrients; nutrition surveys.