2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
11 Lens and Cataract
Chapter 1: Epidemiology of Cataract
Highlights
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Cataracts are a growing world health problem and a leading cause of blindness and visual impairment.
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The risk of developing cataracts is strongly correlated with older age, tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, and ultraviolet exposure. Other associated risk factors include hypertension, prolonged corticosteroid use, genetic predisposition, ocular trauma, high myopia, and female gender. The role of various diets and nutritional supplements for preventing cataract development has not been consistently proven.
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The global rate of cataract surgery is increasing and can be correlated to the economic availability of health care. Cataract surgery is cost-effective and associated with improved morbidity.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 11 - Lens and Cataract. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.