Risk factors and pathophysiology
For many years it was thought that 'violent
grief (Trevor-Roper, 1980), living
near volcanoes, smoking opium and the
partaking of 'spirituous liquors' could all
lead to the development of cataracts
(Mackenzie^ 1854). Today we know that
cataract formation is associated with much
less dramatic risk {Table 1).
The pathophysiology of cataract remains
tbe focus of current research. Chemical
changes that characterise cataract formation
include the reduction in oxygen
uptake and an initial increase in water content
followed by dehydration. Both the
sodium and calcium content of the lens are
increased, while the ascorbic acid content