Do Cataract Surgery Patients Live Longer?

For people over the age of 50, cataracts can be one of the most common eye diseases around.  Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy due to a build-up of protein.  As the protein clouds the surface of the lens, it becomes difficult for the person to see normally.
In fact, some cataracts can become so severe that a person may suffer from permanent vision loss, or even total blindness.

That’s why it’s so important for older individuals to remain vigilant about treating their cataracts, as it can help preserve healthy vision for life.  Now a new study suggests that cataract surgery – a popular treatment option – can have an additional benefit:

It could prolong your life.

In an Australian study conducted by the Blue Mountains Eye Study, researchers found that those patients over the age of 49 who had cataract surgery had a lower mortality risk than those patients who had cataracts and did not opt to undergo the surgery.

The study accounted and adjusted for a number of mortality risks, including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and other diseases.  However, despite the adjustments, it was still clear that patients who underwent cataract surgery had a 40 percent better mortality outlook than those who did not have the procedure.

The link between cataracts and mortality is still not known; however, researchers believe that patients who have cataract surgery enjoy healthier and clearer vision for longer.  That means they’re less likely to be at risk for falls; they can also enjoy better quality of life, which makes them far less likely to suffer from depression.

If you have cataracts or at risk of developing cataracts, don’t take chances with your vision.  At the Center for Ophthalmology and Laser Surgery – in Lighthouse Pt, FL serving Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach & Boca Raton – Dr. Loeffler and his staff members are dedicated to protecting your vision against cataracts. Dr. Loeffler also performs cataract surgery using innovative new techniques and technologies. Call (954) 786-5353 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Loeffler today.