Levels of Trace Elements in the Lens, Aqueous Humour, and Plasma of Cataractous Patients—A Narrative Review

Zuzanna Micun, Martyna Falkowska, Maryla Młynarczyk, Jan Kochanowicz, Katarzyna Socha and Joanna Konopińska ()
Additional contact information
Zuzanna Micun: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Białystok, M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 24a, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
Martyna Falkowska: Department of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2D, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
Maryla Młynarczyk: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Białystok, M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 24a, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
Jan Kochanowicz: Department of Neurology, Medical University of Bialystok, M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 24a, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
Katarzyna Socha: Department of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Białystok, Mickiewicza 2D, 15-222 Bialystok, Poland
Joanna Konopińska: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Białystok, M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 24a, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-16

Abstract: Cataracts are one of the most common causes of effective vision loss. Although most cases of cataracts are related to the ageing process, identifying modifiable risk factors can prevent their onset or progression. Many studies have suggested that micro and macroelement levels, not only in blood serum but also in the lens and aqueous humour, may affect the risk of the occurrence and severity of cataracts. This systematic review aims to summarise existing scientific reports concerning the importance of trace elements in cataractogenesis. Many authors have pointed out elevated or decreased levels of particular elements in distinct ocular compartments. However, it is not known if these alterations directly affect the increased risk of cataract occurrence. Further studies are needed to show whether changes in the levels of these elements are correlated with cataract severity and type. Such information would be useful for determining specific recommendations for micronutrient supplementation in preventing cataractogenesis.

Keywords: cataract; microelements; macroelements; cataract nutrition; micronutrients; trace elements in lens; aqueous humour and plasma (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/16/10376/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/16/10376/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:16:p:10376-:d:893290

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().