Number of people diagnosed with cataract expected to increase

By 2032, an estimated 38.5 million Americans will have cataract, and 45.6 million will be affected by 2050, according to results from the Prevent Blindness study “The Future of Vision.”

Currently, more than 25 million Americans suffer from cataract, and Prevent Blindness announced in a press release that it has declared June Cataract Awareness Month.

The eye health and safety non-profit organization aims to educate the public about cataract symptoms and treatments, as well as risk factors, including:

aging;

intense heat or long-term exposure to UV rays from the sun;

diabetes;

inflammation in the eye;

hereditary influences;

events before birth, such as German measles in the mother;

long-term steroid use;

eye injuries;

eye diseases; and

smoking.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology offers qualified seniors — older than 65 years — free eye exams as well as up to 1 year of follow-up care. However, more initiatives, resources and programs are needed to increase cataract surgery for individuals in need, Prevent Blindness said.

“Although millions of Americans today have cataract, there are services and programs available to help,” Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness, said in the release. “We encourage patients and their care givers to work with their doctors to put an effective treatment plan together to protect or restore healthy vision.”