Oxidative stress and antioxidant vitamin C among cataract patients: A case control study

Objective: To compare mean of blood antioxidant Vitamin-C and oxidative stress marker (MDA) among cases of aging cataract and controls. Methodology: This case control study was conducted at Ophthalmology Department of Bahawalpur Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Bahawalpur. There was total 40 aging cataract and 40 controls after matching age & demographics. The data were analyzed on SPSS version 27. Correlation coefficient was performed to compare mean of blood antioxidant vitamins (C) and MDA among cases of aging cataract and controls. Results: Mean age was 61.19±5.65 years in cataract and 52.50±9.71 years in controls. In cases, mean weight was 66.42±12.86 kg and mean height was 1.65±0.08 meter. Mean waist was 93.74±14.44 cm in cataract patients. In cases, mean of BMI was 24.25±4.93 and 21.81±4.56 in control. The weight, height, waist and BMI were higher in cases than controls. Mean random blood sugar was 112.58±34.55 mg/dl and antioxidant vitamin C was low (32.15±16.62) in cataract patients. The MDA was higher in cases than controls. Conclusion: Serum vitamin C level is depleted among cataract. Oxidative stress MDA was significantly high in cataract patients as compared to control. Hence, oxidative stress has important initiating role in cataract formation. It highlights the importance of vitamin-C supplements to prevent age related cataract. (author)