Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss
in the United States. Cataracts are very common in older adults. They are
slightly more common in women than men.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 in 5,000) are born with cataracts (congenital cataracts) or develop them shortly after birth.2 It is very important to treat congenital cataracts that are
causing significant vision problems before the child is 3 months old to prevent
permanent vision loss or blindness.
Citations
Chitkara DK, et al. (2004). Pathophysiology and
epidemiology of cataract. In M Yanoff et al., eds., Ophthalmology, 2nd ed., pp. 269-272. St. Louis:
Mosby.
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.
Chitkara DK, et al. (2004). Pathophysiology and
epidemiology of cataract. In M Yanoff et al., eds., Ophthalmology, 2nd ed., pp. 269-272. St. Louis:
Mosby.
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.
