the correlation of nutrient intake with the incidence of nuclear, cortical, and posterior cataracts: a cross-sectional study in indonesia

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness, with nutrient intake, including both macronutrients and micronutrients, linked to oxidative stress and cataract development. this study explores the correlation between nutrient intake and cataract incidence in indonesia. this community-based cross-sectional study involved 691 cataract patients in malang, east java, indonesia. data were collected using lens opacity classification system (locs) iii, and a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. backward logistic regression was used to analyze nutritional factors related to cataract occurrence. the study included mostly middle-aged participants; 48.5% had nuclear cataracts. the result of multivariate analysis using logistic regression with a backward method found that the total protein intake (p=0.042), unsaturated fat (p=0.012), vitamin c (p<0.001), and iron intake (p=0.002) had significant negative correlations with nuclear cataracts. meanwhile, the fiber intake (p<0.001), vitamin a (p=0.011), sodium (p=0.003), and calcium intake (p=0.029) showed significant positive correlations with nuclear cataracts. total carbohydrate intake (p<0.001) had a significant positive correlation for cortical cataracts. analysis for posterior cataracts indicates that there were negative correlations between total fat intake (p=0.022), folic acid (p=0.021), vitamin k (p=0.007), and magnesium intake (p=0.019) with the incidence of posterior cataract. meanwhile, there were positive correlations between unsaturated fat intake (p=0.004), vitamin a (p=0.022), vitamin e (p<0.001), and zinc intake (p=0.005). fiber (p=0.062) and vitamin b1 (p=0.560) did not correlate with the posterior cataract incidence. this study highlights important dietary associations with different types of cataracts in indonesians, emphasizing the need for nutritional interventions and strategies to mitigate cataract risk.