Home > Medical Reference > Patient Education

Cataracts - Prognosis

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cataracts.

Prognosis:

Some cataracts stop progressing after a certain point. Cataracts are never reversible, however, even after eliminating factors (such as drugs or illnesses), which might have promoted their development. If extensive and progressive cataracts are left untreated they can cause blindness. In fact, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness among adults age 55 and older. More than 20 million Americans have at least one cataract. By 2020, that number is expected to jump to 30 million.

Fortunately, cataracts nearly always can be successfully removed with surgery. However, surgery is unavailable in certain parts of the world, leaving millions at risk for vision loss. Even in the U.S., where surgery has greatly reduced the risk of blindness, tens of thousands still lose their sight and millions more have poor vision because of cataracts.

Effect on Daily Functioning

Reduced vision ranks third only behind arthritis and heart disease as a cause of impaired function in older people. Some people who have small cataracts can see well enough around the clouded areas to live normally. Extensive cataracts, however, can compromise the ability to earn a living, read, drive, or live independently and can interfere greatly with daily activities.

Resources

www.ascrs.org -- The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
www.aao.org -- American Academy of Ophthalmology
www.nei.nih.gov -- National Eye Institute
www.eyesurgeryeducation.com -- Eye Surgery Education Council
www.lighthouse.org -- Lighthouse International
www.aao.org/aao/find_eyemd.cfm -- Find an ophthalmologist

References

Allen D. Cataract. BMJ Clinical Evidence. Web publication date: 01 April 2007 (based on October 2006 search). Accessed July 1, 2008.

American Academy of Ophthalmology. Cataract in the Adult Eye, Preferred Practice Pattern. San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2006. Accessed July 1, 2008.

Awasthi N, Guo S, Wagner BJ. Posterior capsular opacification: a problem reduced but not yet eradicated. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009 Apr;127(4):555-62.

Bell CM, Hatch WV, Fischer HD, Cernat G, Paterson JM, Gruneir A, et al. Association between tamsulosin and serious ophthalmic adverse events in older men following cataract surgery. JAMA. 2009 May 20;301(19):1991-6

Clinical Trial of Nutritional Supplements and Age-Related Cataract Study Group, Maraini G, Sperduto RD, Ferris F, Clemons TE, Rosmini F, et al. A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial of multivitamin supplementation for age-related lens opacities. Clinical trial of nutritional supplements and age-related cataract report no. 3. Ophthalmology. 2008 Apr;115(4):599-607.e1.

Fernandez MM, Afshari NA. Nutrition and the prevention of cataracts. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2008 Jan;19(1):66-70.

Friedman AH. Tamsulosin and the intraoperative floppy iris syndrome. JAMA. 2009 May 20;301(19):2044-5.

Guercio JR, Martyn LJ. Congenital malformations of the eye and orbit. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2007 Feb;40(1):113-40, vii.

Long V, Chen S, Hatt S. Surgical interventions for bilateral congenital cataract. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Jul 19;3:CD003171.

Moeller SM, Voland R, Tinker L, Blodi BA, Klein ML, Gehrs KM, et al. Associations between age-related nuclear cataract and lutein and zeaxanthin inthe diet and serum in the Carotenoids in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, an Ancillary Study of the Women's Health Initiative. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Mar;126(3):354-64.

Olitsky SE, Hug D, and Smith LP. Abnormalities of the lens. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. St. Louis, MO: WB Saunders; 2007; chap 627.

Wishart MS, Dagres E. Seven-year follow-up of combined cataract extraction and viscocanalostomy. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2006 Dec;32(12):2043-9.

Reviewed last on: 6/23/2009
Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

Connect with UMMC

© 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System,
22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. TDD: 1-800-735-2258 or 1.866.408.6885