The page provides a comprehensive collection of recommended articles, research and statistics on cataracts in the UK. Just click on the tabs below to find data on the prevalence of cataracts in the UK and worldwide, an overview of the condition and treatments available, recommended guides and research from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the NHS.
We’ve also published a comprehensive guide to cataract surgery and typical costs for cataract surgery.
UK Cataract Statistics
- Approximately 330,000 cataract operations are performed each year in England alone.
- It is estimated that 30% of people 65 years or older have a visually impairing cataract in one or both eyes.
- 10% of people 65 or over had already had cataract surgery.
- 95% of cataracts are age-related, usually after age 40.
- Approximately 40% patients undergo cataract surgery on both eyes.
- Approximately 4-5% of patients require general anaesthesia to undergo cataract surgery.
- Average expected rates of cataract surgery are approximately 530 per 100,000 (0.53%) population or 3200 per 100,000 (3.2%) for those over 65 years old per year.
- Some populations have a much higher prevalence of cataract. For instance, 77% of British people originating from the Indian Subcontinent aged 42 years or older have cataracts.
- There is a threefold variation in the number of people having cataract surgery across England due to differences in health commissioning policies.
- 9 in every 10 cataract surgery commissioning policies contained criteria that followed “neither national guidance nor scientific evidence.”
- Over 50% of commissioners have arbitrary thresholds to restrict access to cataract surgery .
- It is estimated have an incremental cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) of £13,172 over an individual’s lifetime (assuming an anticipated lifespan of 10 years following surgery).
- Phacoemulsification (removal of the cataractous lens using ultrasound) is the standard surgical technique and is used in over 99.7% cataract operations in the NHS.
Worldwide Cataract Statistics
- Cataracts is the leading cause of blindness in middle and low income countries.
- It is the second leading cause of visual impairment after refractive errors (uncorrected refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism: 43%, cataracts: 33%, glaucoma: 2%).
- Cataracts effects 24 million Americans age 40 and older.
- By age 80, more than 50% all Americans have cataracts.
- More than 95% of surgeries are successful with fewer than 5% of cases experiencing complications such as inflammation, bleeding, infection and retinal detachment.
- The US spends $10.7 Billion per year treating cataracts. The costs include medical costs for diagnosed disorders, medical costs attributable to low vision, vision aids, vision assistive devices and adaptations and direct services including special education and assistance programs.
