According to the Australian team, people with cataracts are also more likely to develop depression than those without the eye condition, even after they’ve had cataract surgery, and people with depression have an increased risk of heart disease.
Overall, the study “found significant associations of self-reported cataract surgery” with a raised risk of death from any cause, and from heart-related causes in particular, the authors said.
Dr. Mark Fromer is an ophthalmologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Reading over the findings, he said that “it is certainly not a surprise to expect cataract patients to have other underlying illnesses as most cataract patients are elderly.”
Fromer noted that people are typically having cataracts surgically removed at an earlier age than they might have a few decades ago. “This has led to patients living for a longer time after their surgery than was reported just decades ago,” he said. “Seeing better following surgery also leads to a better quality of life and may prevent accidents which can lead to death and injury due to poor sight.”
The study was published Oct. 25 in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
More information
The U.S. National Eye Institute has more on cataracts.
