Prevalence of cataracts

All people eventually get cataracts if they live long enough. The lens can start clouding at any age, but it is most often after the age of 60 that cataracts typically start to impede vision.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, accounting for almost 20 million cases, and the number is projected to reach 40 million by the year 2020.

Despite these numbers, the disease is one of the less serious eye disorders, as surgery can restore lost vision in most cases.