The Association between Dietary Vitamin A and C Intakes and Cataract: Data from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012

Oxidative stress in eye lens is one of the main causes of the cataract. Dietary antioxidants including vitamin A and C are therefore known to be associated with the risk of the disease. However, evidences are still lacking in Koreans. This study aimed to examine whether dietary vitamin A and C levels are associated with the cataract, using data of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012. A total of 3,344 individuals (599 cases and 2,745 controls) were analyzed in the study. Dietary data was classified into 3 groups following Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans 2015: 1) ≤ estimated average requirements (EAR), 2) EAR-recommended nutrient intake (RNI), and 3) ≥ RNI. Findings suggested normal subjects (controls) had better vitamin A and C nutritional status. Vitamin A and C intakes of normal subjects were significantly higher than those of cataract cases (p < 0.001, respectively). Ratio of subjects who consumed vitamin A and C lower than EAR was higher in cataract cases compared to normal subjects (p < 0.001, respectively). These antioxidant intake levels predicted that having lower level of vitamins lower than EAR increased the odd ratios (ORs) for cataract [for vitamin A: OR, 1.89; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.55–2.31 and for vitamin C: OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.69–2.51]. However, such associations were not retained, when the subjects’ demographic and lifestyle factor were adjusted. In conclusion, vitamin A and C showed a protective effect against cataract. However, subjects' life style and demographic factors nullified the association. More studies are required to verify the true association between dietary antioxidants and risk of cataract in Koreans.