CATARACT

NOTE: 

  A review of the available data revealed that prevalence estimates of cataract 

vary considerably among different sources.  According the National Advisory Eye 

Council, "Data on cataract blindness and cataract surgery provide incomplete 

information about the magnitude of the cataract problem.  Large numbers of persons 

with visual impairments from cataract are not included in these data because their 

impairment is not sufficient to require surgical correction or to result in blindness" 

(1993, p. 156), or they may not be aware that they have the condition.  Furthermore, 

as indicated by the Cataract Management Guideline Panel (1993), a problem in 

determining the prevalence of cataracts is the varying definitions used in the literature 

(e.g., presence of lens opacities; loss of visual acuity). 

According to Prevent Blindness America (1998 2000), cataracts are a leading 

cause of blindness among adults in the U.S., accounting for 1 out of 7 cases of 

blindness in people age 45 and older. 

Estimates Based on Clinical Data: 

Cataract affects 20.5 million (1 in 6) Americans age 40 and older.  By 80 years of 

age, more than one half of Americans have cataract (Prevent Blindness America, 

2002).  

There appears to be a higher prevalence of cataracts among females.  According 

to  estimates of Americans age 40 and older, a higher proportion of females have 

cataracts (20%) as compared to males (14%) (Prevent Blindness America, 2002 ). 

In the Framingham Eye Study, cataract (defined as lens opacities accompanied by 

visual acuity of 20/30 or worse, including aphakics) was found in 5% of persons 

age 55 64, 18% of persons age 65 74, and 46% of persons age 75 84.  Lens 

opacities (including aphakics) were found in 42% of persons age 55 64, 73% of 

persons age 65 74, and 91% of those 75 84 (Cataract Management Guideline 

Panel, 1993).  

The 1971 1972 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of the National 

Center for Health Statistics reported that 28.5% of persons 65 74 had lens 

opacities accompanied by a decrease in visual acuity (20/25 or worse).  Lens 

opacities were present in 58% of persons in this age group (National Advisory Eye 

Council, 1993; Cataract Management Guideline Panel, 1993). 

CATARACT

  continued 

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