Systemic hypertension and senile cataracts: an epidemiologic study.

A hospital-based case-control study was conducted at the Allen Park Michigan Veterans Administration Medical Center to determine whether a diagnosis of systemic hypertension was associated with increased risk for senile cataracts. Data from 136 cataract extraction patients were compared to 142 controls. Systemic hypertension was found to increase significantly the risk for posterior subcapsular cataracts. Diabetes mellitus was also associated with increased cataract risk. The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents showed a significant protective effect only in the presence of a diagnosis of systemic hypertension.