Linking pseudo-exfoliation and serum uric acid among cataract patients.

Abstract

Pseudo-exfoliation syndrome (PXF), an age-related condition causing fibrillar deposits in the eye, may involve metabolic factors like uric acid. Therefore, it is of interest to compare blood uric acid levels in 80 cataract patients (over 45 years) at R.L. Jalappa Hospital, Kolar, from January to December 2024, splitting them into 40 with PXF and 40 without, excluding those with secondary PXF, other eye conditions, systemic diseases affecting uric acid, or prior eye surgery and collecting age, sex and uric acid data from medical records. No significant differences were found in mean age (70.83 years for PXF vs. 69.15 years for controls; p=0.332) or sex distribution (p=0.809). However, uric acid was higher in the PXF group (4.513 mg/dL) than controls (3.908 mg/dL; p=0.016), rising with PXF severity: 3.76 mg/dL (mild), 4.49 mg/dL (moderate) and 5.29 mg/dL (severe; p=0.001). Elevated uric acid is linked to PXF presence and severity, suggesting a role in its development, though further studies are needed to confirm clinical significance.