Abstract: 【Abstract】The exact etiology of agerelated cataract (ARC) is still unknown. Epidemiological studies have documented tendency for ARC to occur more frequently in relatives of  patients having cataract. Genetic and molecular epidemiologic studies have also showed polymorphisms of specific genes that are associated with and have impact on the development of ARC such as glutathione Stransferase (GST) genes, DNA repair genes and EPHA2 gene. For other genes such as lens membrane protein genes, galactokinase gene and αcrystallin gene, the correlations with ARC need to be further evaluated. All of these studies provide a gene\|based theory basis for ARC etiology. In this article, we reviewed the recent related studies.  (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2013, 37: 117-122)