Characteristics of cataracts in dry-hot valley-type high-altitude surgical cohort: a retrospective descriptive case series of 556 eyes from western China

The study analyzed morphological characteristics and severity of age-related cataracts in 330 patients (556 eyes) from a high-altitude dry-hot valley region in western China. Cortical opacity showed the highest mean grade (3.18), followed by posterior subcapsular opacity (2.64) and nuclear opacity (2.59). Severe opacities were present in 35.3% of eyes with cortical, 16.7% with nuclear, and 60.4% with posterior subcapsular involvement. Among patients aged 60 years or younger (17.3% of the sample), 63.5% had severe posterior subcapsular opacity and 27.1% of this younger group had mature cataracts. Age and diabetes were identified as independent risk factors for severe cortical opacity. The findings suggest that intense UV exposure and other environmental factors may contribute to early cataract manifestation in these regions.