High frequency of lactose absorbers among adults with idiopathic senile and presenile cataract in a population with a high prevalence of primary adult lactose malabsorption

22% of a group of adult Neapolitans were found to have persistent high lactase activity, and 16% were lactose absorbers as indicated by measurement of breath hydrogen concentration and rise in blood glucose after oral lactose administration. Among adults in the same area with idiopathic senile or presenile cataract 49% were identified as lactose absorbers with the breath hydrogen test and 55% by the rise in blood glucose. These results suggest that adults able to absorb galactose from a lactose-containing diet are especially susceptible to senile or presenile cataract.