Lifetime exposure to lead from paint in older houses, drinking-water pipes and other sources appears to increase men’s risk of cataract development.

“This research suggests that reduction of lead exposure throughout a man’s lifetime should help reduce his chances of developing cataracts and of requiring cataract surgery,” said Debra Schaumberg of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, lead author of the study.

“By preventing or delaying the onset of this condition, many instances of blindness worldwide could be prevented,” she added.

Her study, published in the Dec. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Assn., looked at data from 795 U.S. men age 60 and older for whom bone lead levels were measured between 1991 and 1999. The report did not speculate about whether the findings would apply to women.

Cataracts accounts for more than 40% of all cases of blindness worldwide, the report said.

Schaumberg and colleagues found that those with the highest levels of lead exposure had more than 2 1/2 times the risk of developing cataracts compared with those with the lowest levels.

“Lead exposure continues to pose a significant public health problem,” she said.