Objective: To investigate the relationship of lens opacities to performance-based and self-assessed visual function in persons free of other ocular comorbidities.
Design: Cross-sectional cohort study.
Participants: Beaver Dam Eye Study participants.
Methods: Lens photographs were taken and graded by protocols for age-related lens opacities. During the study evaluation, best-corrected visual acuity, near vision, and contrast sensitivity (performance-based visual functions) were measured. Questions were asked about visual function in particular settings (self-assessed visual functions).
Results: After the exclusion of other ocular comorbidities, performance-based visual functions were associated significantly (P< or =0.001 for each association) with severity of lens opacities, including relatively early lens opacities. Self-assessed visual functions were associated less consistently with severity of lens opacities (P<0.02 for all). In age-stratified analyses, there were fewer significant associations of self-assessed visual functions with severity of lens opacities for persons younger than 65 years than for persons 65 or older.
Conclusions: Lens opacities across the range of severities were associated with measurable decreases in visual functions; the associations, especially for self-assessed functions, tended to be greater at older ages. It is likely that successful measures to decrease the severity of lens opacities will have a greater impact on older persons.