Background: Elevated plasma Homocysteine level is an independent risk factor for age related (senile) cataract. Certain nutritional deficiencies, in particular Folate, Vitamin B12 , Vitamin B6 relate inversely with Homocysteine level. Aim: This study was undertaken to evaluate the plasma level of Vitamin B12 , Folate, and Homocysteine of cataract patients and to study the interplay between them. Methods: This study included 50 cataract patients and 30 age matched control subjects. Samples were collected from cataract patients admitted in Ophthalmology ward prior to cataract surgery. Assays were carried out by using well-established methods for Homocysteine, Folate, Vitamin B12 by Chemiluminescence. Results: Serum Homocysteine level is significantly increased in cataract patients when compared with control (p< 0.001). There was a significant decrease in the level of Folate as compared with control (p<0.001). There was a negative correlation between Homocysteine vs. Vitamin B12 (p<0.01) and Folate (p<0.01) in the Cataract patients. Conlcusion: An increased plasma Homocysteine level is associated with decreased plasma levels of Folate and Vitamin B12 in Cataract patients, which might have a possible role in the root cause of cataract pathogenesis.

Keywords: Homocysteine; Senile Cataract; Vitamin B12; Folate.