Are women more resistant to cataract ?

Abstract

Cataract, already a major cause of visual impairment and blindness, is likely to become an increasing problem as the world population ages. It has already been shown that transforming growth factor B (TGF-B) induces changes in rat ocular lenses which are similar to the feature of human anterior subcapsular cataracts.

The protective role of oestrogen in such cases has also been shown. This adds to an increasing importance of hormone replacement therapy in post menopausal women.