epidemiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

• incidence:
• major cause of blindness worldwide. This may seem surprising, since it is eminently treatable by surgery, with a 95% success rate. However, psychological, social and economical factors prevent many patients from receiving treatment
• according to estimates, 225,000 visually impairing cataract patients are expected each year (1)

• age of onset:
• may occur at any age, but they are predominantly a condition of old age
• prevalence increases with age:
• 16% in 65-69 years age group
• 24% in 70-74 years age group
• 42% in 75-79 years age group
• 59% in 80–84 years age group
• 71% in 85 years plus age group
• note that the age of onset in Indian and Bangladeshi patients is lower than other ethnic groups (1)

• age related cataracts tend to progress slowly

• cataracts are more common in women than men

• in addition to age, risk factors for development of cataracts include
  • gender
  • life style factors – smoking, alcohol consumption
  • diabetes mellitus
  • steroid treatment
  • ultraviolet exposure
  • nutrition and socio-economic status
  • dehydration/diarrhoeal crises (1)

• approximately 200,000 cataract operations are performed each year in the UK

Reference:

• (1) Royal College of Ophthalmologists 20010. Cataract surgery guidelines