Toxicologia Ambiental e Analítica

On-Set of Cataract and Accumulation of Copper, Lead and Cadmium in Smokers of Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Anzar Ahmad, Imtiaz Ahmad, Moazzam A Khan, Alia B Munshi , Ishratullah Siddiqui, Ovais Anzar and Alvina Anzar

Background: High prevalence of cataract especially in women, children and urban dwellers and associated blindness is a major problem of Pakistan and low and middle income countries. Prevalence of tobacco use is also very high in Pakistan. The aim of study was to identify association between cigarette smoking and development of cataract in people of Karachi and to determine effect of Lead, Cadmium and Copper in progression of Cataract Material and methods: 100 Cataract Patients including Smokers and Non-Smokers visiting LRBT Hospital. Karachi was selected randomly. After Surgical Removal, their lenses were analyzed for Cadmium, Lead and Copper Concentration by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer at Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Results: Concentration of Cadmium, Lead and Copper were found to be significantly higher among Lenses of Smokers than Non-Smokers. Conclusion: Cataract development occurred earlier in heavy smokers with mean age 48.24 years as compared to non-smokers mean age 55.72 years along-with increased accumulation of Cadmium, Lead and Copper in their lenses. The result shows an association between Cigarette Smoking and progression of Cataract