While exact figures vary, a significant portion of people over 65 undergo cataract surgery, with studies showing rates increasing with age; nearly one in five people aged 65-74 have vision-affecting cataracts, and over 50% of those 80 and older either have them or have had surgery, highlighting it as a common procedure for the aging population, especially in Australia where 90% of surgeries are on those 60+.
In the U.S., nearly 1 in 5 people age 65 to 74 have cataracts that affect their vision. More than 50% of people over age 80 either have cataracts or had surgery to remove them.
Eye surgery: People who've had eye surgery, such as cataract surgery, are also at an increased risk of subconjunctival hemorrhage.
To prevent or delay cataracts, protect your eyes from UV light with sunglasses and hats, quit smoking, manage chronic conditions like diabetes with good blood sugar control, limit alcohol, avoid eye injuries, and eat a diet rich in antioxidants from colorful fruits and vegetables, all while getting regular eye exams for early detection, notes Healthdirect, Mayo Clinic, and NIH.
While the average age for cataract surgery is around 65–70, many patients undergo the procedure earlier, depending on their needs. The surgery itself is quick, often just 15 minutes per eye, and while cataract surgery recovery may take several weeks, most patients enjoy clearer vision within days.
However, there are some patients who don't meet the requirements for cataract surgery: Are in poor health or have a serious medical condition. Have advanced macular degeneration. Have a detached retina.
Most cataracts develop when aging or injury changes the tissue that makes up the eye's lens. Proteins and fibers in the lens begin to break down. This causes vision to become hazy or cloudy.
Additionally, if you already have cataracts, these vitamins and nutrients may slow their progression.
Trauma: Trauma-related cataracts occur as a result of your eye enduring either blunt or penetrating trauma that disrupts your lens fibers. These types of cataracts are typically the most fast-growing variety a patient may experience.
"Ultraviolet light can pass through the eye to the lens and cause cataracts," says Dr. Davis. "So, if you wear sunglasses, you decrease your risk over your lifetime of cataract formation."
Yes, after cataract surgery, you need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun. After surgery, your eyes are healing and are more sensitive to the sun's rays than usual. Anytime you go outside, you need to wear sunglasses. Whether it's raining or sunny, the sun is giving off damaging UV rays.
High blood pressure can weaken the blood vessels in your eyes, causing them to burst and leak blood into the eye. This is called "retinal hemorrhage." While this may sound alarming, you might not feel any pain when it happens. Instead, you could suddenly notice blurry vision or even experience vision loss.
Yes, floaters are normal after cataract surgery for many patients. These small gray spots or specks in your vision often occur due to changes in the vitreous gel inside your eye during or after the procedure.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
For most people, cataract surgery is not urgent, and delaying cataract surgery will not affect the overall health of their eyes. Often, the right time to have cataract surgery is when your vision starts to be noticeably impaired. However, delaying cataract surgery has no significant benefits.
If you experience constant eye dehydration, this can increase the risks of developing cataracts sooner. Cataracts occur when the natural lens in the eye starts to cloud over as proteins in the lens coalesce. As the cataract increases in size, it will cause vision loss and eventually blindness.
When you have diabetes, high blood sugar (blood glucose) levels over time can lead to structural changes in the lens of the eye that can accelerate the development of cataracts.
Stress is not a direct cause of cataracts. However, stress can lead to other health problems that can increase your risk of developing them. For example, stress can cause high blood pressure, leading to diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that can increase your risk of developing cataracts.
This includes exercising, eating enough fruits and vegetables and making informed health decisions. Soft drinks, processed foods, fried foods and sugary snacks should all be avoided, as they've been shown to increase the risk of developing cataracts earlier in life.
While screen time alone does not directly cause cataracts, it can contribute to the overall strain and aging of your eyes. Excessive screen use can lead to symptoms like dry eyes, fatigue, and blurred vision, which may make it harder to notice early signs of cataracts.
Moderate (walking) and vigorous (running) exercise were both significantly associated with lower cataract risk, and their effects similar. Cataract risk appears to decrease linearly with increasing exercise energy expenditure through 9 METh/d.
Cataract Risk Factors
Vitamin B2 and vitamin B3 are needed to protect glutathione, an important antioxidant in the eye. Vitamin B2 deficiency has been linked to cataracts. Older people taking 3 mg of vitamin B2 and 40 mg of vitamin B3 per day were partly protected against cataracts in one trial.
Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol use, and shielding your eyes from sun exposure will protect your eyes as well as your overall health. If you have diabetes or take medication that may increase cataract risk, talk to your eye doctor.