The Role of Genetic and Non-Genetic Factors and Causal Mechanisms Underlying Cataract Susceptibility For Risk Prediction

Cataract is a leading cause of blindness and a major cause of impaired vision worldwide. The overall objective of this study is to better understand the role of genetic and non-genetic factors and causal mechanisms underlying the etiology of cataract and develop a prediction tool to facilitate risk-stratified screening for cataract. This study has 3 major aims: 1) to evaluate whether glaucoma, myopic refractive error, diabetes, high blood pressure, high BMI, cigarette smoking, or alcohol consumption, and other non-genetic factors are causal risk factors of cataract; 2) to develop risk prediction models of cataract susceptibility based on genetic and non-genetic risk factors; and 3) to determine the function (in the lens tissue) of novel candidate genes prioritized within genetic loci associated with cataract.

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