Cataracts

Epidemiology

Cataracts are the most common cause of blindness worldwide. According to a study conducted in 2020, around 12 to 15 million people worldwide are blind due to cataracts and over 200 million have some level of visual impairments due to the condition. The prevalence of cataracts across all ages is 17.2%, with the most common types being nuclear and cortical cataracts. The chances of a person developing cataracts increases with age; in those over sixty years old, the prevalence of cataracts is over 54%. Women, and those living in areas that are low income are at a higher risk for developing cataracts.