Study shows Cataract Surgery Leads to Longer Life
April 10, 2020 |
Aging is the great equalizer. There is nothing that you can do to avoid the years going by, seemingly quicker than they once did. While these changes show wisdom and character, they can also be a source of frustration for many. One such frustration we see in our bodies as we age into our senior years is the development of cataracts.
What exactly are cataracts? We are all born with natural lenses inside of our eyes. These lenses bend light rays in a way that allows our eyes to perceive the world around us. When you are born, your lens is usually clean and clear. As we age, our lenses begin to develop protein buildup and the lens becomes cloudy. Things start to look blurry and less colorful if you are suffering from a cataract. Some of us do not notice anything until much later in life but others begin noticing them in their 50s and 60s. Here’s a fun and simple video explaining cataracts.
While everybody will eventually develop Cataracts, suffering is not a requirement. Cataract surgery is one of the most performed surgeries in the world. Dr. Ranson, a cataract and oculoplastic specialists from the Spokane Eye Clinic, explains the procedure in more detail. “Cataract surgery is one of those rare surgeries that has a high outcome but carries relatively low risk. Patients usually recover quickly and their quality of life improves dramatically.”
Not only can the surgery improve quality of life, a recent study shows that cataract surgery can also improve the longevity of someone’s life. The 20-year study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, conducted among 74,044 women aged 65 and older, all of whom had cataracts, found a 60 percent lower risk of death among the 41,735 women who had their cataracts removed.
Dr. Ranson, familiar with this study, explains the idea behind it. “Having great vision is key to long-term independence… this often leads to fewer slips and falls as a person ages. Less falls translates to fewer doctor visits and less damage to our bodies. The good vision that comes from having Cataract surgery has a distinct cascading effect improving and extending life.”
If you or a loved one is beginning to notice early signs of cataracts or have been putting off the surgery, visit your local eye clinic and talk to your doctor today.
