Who Is Affected by Cataracts
Cataracts
are one of the leading causes of vision loss
in the United States. Cataracts are very common in older adults.1
In the United States, cataract surgery is the most commonly performed
surgery in adults who are older than 65.
Cataracts are more common in people who live in sunny areas and less
common in children than in older adults.
Some babies (about 1 out of 5,000) are born with cataracts (congenital cataracts) or develop them shortly after birth.2 It is very important to treat cataracts that cause severe vision problems in children younger than 3 months of age. Treatment can help prevent
lasting vision loss or blindness.
Citations
-
Wevill M (2009). Epidemiology, pathophysiology, causes, morphology, and visual effects of cataract. In M Yanoff, JS Duker, eds., Ophthalmology, 3rd ed., pp. 503–510. Edinburgh:
Mosby Elsevier.
-
Madan A, Good WV (2005). Disorders of the eye. In HW
Taeusch et al., eds., Avery's Diseases of the Newborn,
8th ed., pp. 1539–1555. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders.
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By
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Healthwise Staff |
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Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
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Specialist Medical Reviewer
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Carol L. Karp, MD - Ophthalmology |
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Last Revised
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August 24, 2011 |
Last Revised:
August 24, 2011
Wevill M (2009). Epidemiology, pathophysiology, causes, morphology, and visual effects of cataract. In M Yanoff, JS Duker, eds., Ophthalmology, 3rd ed., pp. 503–510. Edinburgh:
Mosby Elsevier.
Madan A, Good WV (2005). Disorders of the eye. In HW
Taeusch et al., eds., Avery's Diseases of the Newborn,
8th ed., pp. 1539–1555. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders.