Correlation between cataract and glutathione metabolism.

Riboflavin status was studied in 156 older healthy people living at home in The Netherlands by assaying erythrocyte glutathione reductase (with and without FAD). The average activation coefficient of glutathione reductase was found to be 1.42 +/- 0.19. 7% of the population studied showed cataract (based on the eye examination). It seems that no correlation exists between cataract and riboflavin deficiency.

Opacities of the lens indicating carrier status in the oculo-cerebro-renal (Lowe) syndrome.

Three families with a total of five patients with Lowe's syndrome are described. We tried to trace female heterozygotes by ophthalmological abnormalities in order to realize prevention of this serious X-chromosomal recessive disease. Of the fourteen female relatives examined, eight showed pathological opacities of the lens, two of these being proven heterozygotes. In our opinion, in Lowe's syndrome, examination of the eyes can play an important role in the detection of heterozygotes.