Cataract Blindness Statistics

Visual impairment in 2010 is a major global health issue.

Cataract blindness statistics. Cataracts cause legal blindness in 10 3 percent of non hispanic whites 25 percent of african americans and 7 9 percent of hispanics who are legally blind. Explore eye health statistics our data and statistics are free for researchers policymakers and members of the media to use and distribute. As it slowly progresses the streaks extend to the center and interfere with light passing through the center of the lens. Cataract remains the leading cause of blindness and an important cause of visual impairment across the globe.

More than half of all americans age 80 and older either have had cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of cataracts. The preventable causes are as high as 80 of the total global burden. The first cause of blindness is cataract 51. According to the latest assessment cataract is responsible for 51 of world blindness which represents about 20 million people 2010.

A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye. People 50 years and older are 82 of all blind. Age related macular degeneration is believed to cause of blindness in 46 6 percent of non hispanic whites 4 2 percent of african americans and 23 7 percent of hispanics who are legally blind. But when people hear the word blindness many assume that severe vision loss is permanent and cannot be cured.

Other frequently associated risk factors are trauma uveitis diabetes ultraviolet light exposure and smoking. However this figure is obviously dependent on the regional rate of cataract surgery. In 2012 nei partnered with prevent blindness america to apply these prevalence rates to the 2010 u s. Cataracts affect more than 24 4 million americans age 40 and older.

A cortical cataract begins as whitish wedge shaped opacities or streaks on the outer edge of the lens cortex. Cataracts that affect the edges of the lens cortical cataracts. Although cataracts can be surgically removed in many countries barriers exist that prevent patients to access surgery. The major causes of visual impairment are uncorrected refractive errors 43 and cataract 33.

Yes if left untreated cataracts cause continual loss of vision eventually leading to legal blindness or even total blindness. How many people in the united states have cataracts. The main non modifiable risk factor for cataract is aging. The prevalence of blinding bilateral cataract in africa is estimated to be around 0 5.

Learn about the types symptoms and causes of cataracts and how your doctor will diagnose and treat them. In the case of blindness caused by cataracts vision usually can be successfully restored with cataract surgery and implantation of an intraocular lens.