Prevalence of senile cataract, diabetic retinopathy, senile macular degeneration, and open-angle glaucoma in the Framingham eye study.

Of the Framingham, Massachusetts Heart Study population, 2,675 individuals underwent an ophthalmologic evaluation that stressed detection of senile cataract, diabetic retinopathy, open-angle glaucoma, and senile macular degeneration. Those examined were 52 to 85 years old at the time this study was initiated. The prevalence rate of each of these ocular conditions increased with age. Prevalence of senile cataracts ranged from 4.6% for those between the ages of 52 to 64 years to 46% for those 75 to 85 years of age. Diabetic retinopathy was present in 2% of those between 52 and 64 years of age or older. Overall prevalence of senile macular degeneration was 9%, with a prevalence rate of 2% in our youngest age group and 28% in the oldest age group. Open-angle glaucoma had an overall prevalence of approximately 3%. This disease also showed a statistically significant (P less than .01) increase with age from 1.4% (52 to 64 years old) to 7.2% (75 to 85 years old).