Cataracts leading cause of blindness
CHICAGO (UPI) -- More than 22 million U.S. adults age 40 and older have a cataract -- the most common age-related eye disease, researchers say. A study by Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute reveals that eye disease diagnoses, including cataract, continue to rise. More than half of all Americans have cataracts by the time they are 80 years old and it is the leading cause of blindness. "Cataract is something that most of us will develop at some point in our lives," Hugh R. Parry, president and chief executive officer of Prevent Blindness America, said in a statement. Cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. Generally, a cataract does not cause pain, redness or tears. Symptoms may include blurred or double vision, lights seeming to be too dim or sensitivity to strong light. A milky or yellow spot may also be noticeable in the eye, Parry said. Surgery to remove cataracts has a 95 percent success rate resulting with patients having 20/20 to 20/40 vision, Parry said. Every year, on average, 3 million Americans undergo cataract surgery -- the most frequently performed surgery in the United States.
CHICAGO (UPI) -- More than 22 million U.S. adults age 40 and older have a cataract -- the most common age-related eye disease, researchers say. A study by Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute reveals that eye disease diagnoses, including cataract, continue to rise. More than half of all Americans have cataracts by the time they are 80 years old and it is the leading cause of blindness. "Cataract is something that most of us will develop at some point in our lives," Hugh R. Parry, president and chief executive officer of Prevent Blindness America, said in a statement. Cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. Generally, a cataract does not cause pain, redness or tears. Symptoms may include blurred or double vision, lights seeming to be too dim or sensitivity to strong light. A milky or yellow spot may also be noticeable in the eye, Parry said. Surgery to remove cataracts has a 95 percent success rate resulting with patients having 20/20 to 20/40 vision, Parry said. Every year, on average, 3 million Americans undergo cataract surgery -- the most frequently performed surgery in the United States.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International
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