Important Announcement: We've partnered with ReFocus Eye Health to best focus on providing the best patient care possible. Of course, our doctors and staff will remain the same but our name, logo, and website will be updated as we integrate with the ReFocus family of eye clinics. This will not affect your appointments or your patient experience in the least. 

Important Annoucement: Our Blue Bell clinic is now closed. All patients from that office will be seen at our state-of-the-art North Wales location, where they can expect the same caliber of exceptional eye care and patient experience. This location is only 6 miles away and has ample parking.

A Brief Look at Cataract Statistics

Cataracts develop on the lens of the eye, causing blurry or foggy vision. Cataract surgery is one of the most effective ways to treat cataracts and restore clearer vision.

Although cataract surgery is available to improve vision, cataracts remain one of the leading causes of blindness. Here, the doctors of Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons take a moment to discuss some surprising cataract statistics so patients understand the seriousness of this condition.

If you live in or around Philadelphia, PA and would like more information about cataracts and cataract treatment, we welcome you to schedule a consultation.

Cataracts Are a Leading Cause of Blindness

According to the World Health Organization, cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness throughout the world. Cataracts account for more than 51 percent of blindness throughout the world.

Although surgery is available to remove and treat cataracts, the World Health Organization states that cataracts remain a leading cause of blindness across the world due to barriers that prevent many people from receiving cataract surgery. These barriers may include a lack of health insurance, inability to afford surgery, or not having access to facilities that perform cataract surgery.

How Many People Develop Cataracts?

In the United States alone, over 24.4 million people over the age of 40 have been affected by cataracts.

As life expectancy increases and people live longer, the number of people who develop cataracts is expected to become even bigger. It's been projected that as many as 50 million Americans will develop cataracts by the year 2050.

Who Develops Cataracts?

Cataracts most commonly develop with age but some people have congenital cataracts, or cataracts that are present at birth. Cataracts may also develop after an eye injury or inflammation.

These statistics further illustrate who has or will develop cataracts during their lifetime:

Cataract Surgery Statistics

Cataract surgery is the most effective way to treat cataracts and improve vision. During cataract surgery, the clouded lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Cataract surgery has improved quality of life for millions of Americans, as illustrated by these statistics:

Discover Your Treatment Options

If you have cataracts or suspect you may have cataracts, it's important to seek treatment as early as possible to protect your vision. Call us at (215) 672-4300 to schedule a consultation and learn more about your treatment options.

Author
Francis Clark, MD

You Might Also Enjoy...

Sports Vision

When athletes undergo a comprehensive vision examination, it is important to have good vision. However, it goes beyond just checking for 20/20 vision. There are many additional components that allow for good athleticism, including: 

What Ocular Conditions Are More Frequent at Age 40?

The most frequent ocular condition that starts at this age is Presbyopia. This is a normal aging process and cannot be considered as a true disease. Presbyopia is the normal progressive loss of the ability to focus and see things close up.

Eye Tearing

Patients can experience eye tearing or watery eyes for multiple different reasons, some of the more frequent causes are described below. Dry environments (as in the winter being indoor with the heater on), wind, pollens or allergens can cause dryness an

Dry Eyes and Makeup

Dry eyes is a very prevalent ocular condition, it affects millions of people every year. There are many factors that contribute to whether someone experiences dry eyes. No matter what the cause of one's dry eye is, makeup can amplify the problem.

Snow Blindness

It’s finally winter and you’re planning on going to the slopes. A few things to remember about snow before you head out there! Though the sun rays are not as strong in the winter as in the summer, it is quite possible to get sunburned during the winter.

All About Eye Color

What Determines Eye Color? A person’s eye color is found in the iris. Cells called melanocytes produce various levels of pigment called melanin. Melanin not only provides color, but also absorbs light, acting as an added layer of protection from UV rays.