2 Jan 2026 • Patients with pneumoconiosis had a higher incidence of cataracts than matched controls (38.9 vs 35.3 per 1,000 person-years), with elevated risk seen across ages and sexes.

Key Findings:

• Pneumoconiosis was associated with a 22% increased cataract risk (aHR 1.22).
• Pneumoconiosis was associated with a 22% higher cataract risk (aHR 1.22), consistent in men (aHR 1.22) and women (aHR 1.20), and highest among adults aged ≥75 years (aHR 1.24).
• Even patients without other comorbidities had a 12% higher risk (aHR 1.12).
• Systemic corticosteroid exposure was not independently linked to cataract development.

The findings suggest cataracts represent an under-recognized long-term complication of pneumoconiosis, supporting routine eye surveillance in this population.

Source: BMJ | Read full story