Who is affected by cataracts

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Who is affected by cataracts

Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss in the United States. Cataracts are very common in older adults. They are slightly more common in women than men.¹

In the United States, cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in adults who are older than 65.

Cataracts are more common in people who live in sunny areas and less common in children than in older adults.

Some babies (about 1 in 5,000) are born with cataracts (congenital cataracts) or develop them shortly after birth.² It is very important to treat congenital cataracts that are causing significant vision problems before the child is 3 months old to prevent permanent vision loss or blindness.

References

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Citations
Chitkara DK, et al. (2004). Pathophysiology and epidemiology of cataract. In M Yanoff et al., eds., Ophthalmology, 2nd ed., pp. 269–272. St. Louis: Mosby.
Madan A, Good WV (2005). Disorders of the eye. In HW Taeusch et al., eds., Avery's Diseases of the Newborn, 8th ed., pp. 1539–1555. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders.

Credits

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Author	Jeannette Curtis
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
Last Updated	October 1, 2007

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Last updated:	October 01, 2007
Author:	Jeannette Curtis
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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