About 50 percent of Americans ages 65 to 74 have cataract and about 70 percent of those age 75 and over have it. Most people with cataract have it in both eyes, although one eye may be worse than the other. Many people with cataract don't even know they have it. Other factors that may contribute to cataract development are low serum calcium levels, diabetes, long-term use of corticosteroids, and other inflammatory and metabolic disorders. In many cases, the cause of cataract is unknown.
Cataract treatment is done simply to improve vision.
For some people changing their glasses, getting stronger bifocals, or using a magnifying lens is helpful enough. Others choose to have cataract surgery . If you are not bothered by a cataract, then treatment is usually not necessary. On occasion, there may be an additional eye problem that the doctor needs to see or treat and the cataract impairs the doctors view. In these cases, cataract surgery may be required to allow proper treatment of the other eye problem.