Abstract

Dr. Sanjeev Verma, Dr. Priti Gupta* and Dr. Dimple Shakeet

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the mean sodium and potassium levels in patients with senile cataract and age-matched normal individuals. Material and Methods: The study was designed as cross sectional observational study. 250 senile cataract patients scheduled for cataract surgery and 250 individuals of the same age group without cataract were selected. Mean serum sodium and potassium levels in the senile cataract group were calculated and compared with the control group. Serum sodium and potassium levels were measured by flame photometry technique. Statistical software SPSS-16 was used and means were compared between two groups by t-test. Results: Mean serum sodium level in senile cataract patients and normal individuals was 145.81± 4.23 mEq/L and 141.04 ± 2.38 mEq/L respectively and there was statistically significant difference (p < 0.01). Mean serum potassium level in senile cataract patients and normal individuals was 4.20 ± 0.21mEq/L and 3.88 ± 0.28mEq/L, and the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Serum sodium levels in senile cataract patients were found to be higher as compared to control group, while this did not hold true for serum potassium levels. These findings suggest that diets that are high in sodium content are a risk factor for the formation of senile cataract.