Birth weight not associated with risk of cataract or pseudophakia: Study

A recent study published in the Clinical Ophthalmology journal found the potential connection between birth weight (BW) and the occurrence of cataracts or pseudophakia, where the natural lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial one. This study from the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) analyzed data from 8,205 participants aged 35 to 74 years by offering valuable insights into the role of early-life factors in adult eye health.

The study employed detailed eye assessments using slit lamp examinations and Scheimpflug imaging to identify cataracts and pseudophakia. This research explores whether fetal growth restrictions, often indicated by low BW, or high BW were associated with an increased frequency of these eye conditions.

Initial findings revealed that cataract presence appeared linked to both low and high BW in a univariable analysis. However, when critical variables like age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, and examiner influence were considered, this association disappeared. This adjustment emphasized the complexity of factors influencing cataract development suggesting that birth weight alone is not a significant predictor.

Also, the study found no relationship between low BW and pseudophakia, nor was there a connection between BW and the likelihood of cataract surgery within 5 years. These results challenge earlier theories that fetal growth restrictions could have long-term implications for cataract formation in adulthood.

While previous studies have suggested that intrauterine conditions, indicated by metrics like BW, could affect chronic diseases later in life, this research underlined the need to examine these associations within larger and more diverse populations. The findings reinforce the importance of considering multifaceted health influences, such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle, when studying conditions like cataracts.

This study stands out for its scale and methodology by relying on high-quality imaging techniques and a robust cohort design. The research is believed to provides a valuable foundation for future investigations into how early-life health factors might interact with other variables to shape ocular health.

Overall, these latest findings remind us that while birth weight is an important marker of early health, its direct impact on adult diseases like cataracts may be limited. By disentangling the relationships between early-life health indicators and adult conditions, studies like this pave the way for a more nuanced understanding of disease prevention and management across the lifespan.

Source:

Fieß, A., Gißler, S., Grabitz, S., Wild, P., Lackner, K., Beutel, M., Urschitz, M., Tüscher, O., Münzel, T., Schattenberg, J., Konstantinides, S., Pfeiffer, N., & Schuster, A. (2025). Short report – birth weight is not associated with cataracts or pseudophakia – results from the Gutenberg health study. Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.), 19, 153–156. https://doi.org/10.2147/opth.s502181