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Background: Dietary antioxidant vitamins, in particular vitamin C,
can play a role in preventing the onset or progression of age-related visual
impairment. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma ascorbic acid
levels in normal individuals and in senile cataract patients.
Methods: The test group included fifty cataract patients, while the control group
members were selected among medical staff and patients' companions after age
matching with test group. The use questionnaire contained age, sex and location
of residency (Urban or Rural). Five milliliter of drawn blood centrifuged and
plasma ascorbic acid level was measured by spectrophotometry. Statistical
analysis of plasma ascorbic acid concentrations were done using paired t-test.
Results: The mean plasma ascorbic acid level intest group and incotral group was 0.96±0.08
and 1.12±0.15mg/dl respectively.
Plasma ascorbic acid level in test group was significantly lower than control
group (p<0.0001).
Aging was associated with a reduction in plasma ascorbic acid level in male
while it showed no significant alteration in females. Rural and the female
gender showed higher plasma ascorbic acid level.
Conclusions: This study revealed plasma ascorbic acid level in patients with senile cataract
was lower than normal individuals. Antioxidant vitamins, in particular vitamin C,
found in Mediterranean fruits and vegetables could be probably used in the
prevention of cataracts, which is a major health service burden in many
countries.
