The findings in the present study warrant future studies to elucidate
the detailed mechanism of cadmium toxicity in the lens as
well as to understand the causative relationship between cigarette
smoke and cataracts. In conclusion, our study shows that cadmiumcould
cause apoptosis (and necrosis to some extent) in HLECs
through the generation of ROS and activation of the MAPK signaling
cascade. This could probably explain why smokers are prone to
have an earlier onset of cataract as compared to non-smokers.