Antioxidant micronutrients and cataract: a review of epidemiological evidence.

Cataract is one of the leading causes of blindness among the elderly and an important public health problem worldwide. Life expectancy has increased considerably during this century in both developing and developed countries. Population ageing will lead to increased resources required to treat cataract. Epidemiological studies have suggested that intake of foods containing micronutrients with antioxidant potential may be protective against cataract, but the role of the individual antioxidant micronutrients on the cataract process has not been yet elucidated.Although surgical treatment to remove cataract is very effective, the incidence in developing countries is so high that it will overwhelm the capacity of surgical programs.An increased understanding of the aetiology of cataract may lead to the development of non-surgical strategies to delay o prevent cataract. A preventive approach appears to be essential to the global problems of cataract.