Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people.

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts are whitish or cloudy patches that develop in a person’s eye lens and lead to blurred or clouded vision. Cataracts are the most common cause of visual impairment worldwide.

Strategies to Improve Cataract Surgery Outcomes

Latest Cataract News and Research

Air pollution linked to higher risks of glaucoma and cataract

People who live in areas with higher levels of air pollution are more likely to develop glaucoma and cataract, according to a large study presented today (Monday) at the 44th Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).

15 Sep 2026

Smartphone imaging accurately supports remote cataract referral decisions

Researchers have found a high level of agreement between cataract referral decisions based on smartphone images reviewed remotely and those made by ophthalmologists examining patients in person at rural eye camps.

15 Sep 2026

Simple eye test identifies patients suitable for laser blended vision

Laser blended vision is a treatment for presbyopia, the natural deterioration of our ability to see things close up, that develops in people aged 40 and over.

14 Sep 2026

European registry shows continued improvements in cataract surgery outcomes

A total of 363,039 cataract surgeries performed in 12 European countries in 2024 have been recorded in the European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (EUREQUO), according to the latest figures presented at the 44th Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) today (Tuesday).

14 Sep 2026

Eye scans detect signs of atrial fibrillation years before diagnosis

People with atrial fibrillation have signs of the condition in the retinas of their eyes that can be detected as early as four years before diagnosis, finds a new study led by University College London (UCL) and Moorfields researchers.

14 Sep 2026

Study links eyelash extensions to skin mites, eye irritation and blocked glands

A study among young women who regularly have eyelash extensions has found most have tiny mites, called Demodex folliculorum, living on their lashes. These mites can cause a painful reaction in the skin called demodicosis.

10 Sep 2026

Minimum waits delay patient care across England, BMJ data reveals

Nearly half of health boards in England are deliberately delaying care for patients by imposing minimum waiting times in an attempt to manage demand and control costs, reveals exclusive data published by The BMJ today.

9 Sep 2026

Massage gun use around eyes may cause serious retinal injuries

Using a massage gun on or around the eyes risks major tearing and bruising to the retina-the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye-doctors warn in the online journal BMJ Case Reports after treating a young man who had used one of these devices.

18 Jun 2026

Genetic data may predict steroid side effect risk

Oral corticosteroids (OCSs) are widely used and effective in the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and autoimmune diseases. They work by reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and calming the immune system.

14 Jun 2026

NIH awards $1 million five-year grant to study the genetics of cataracts in children

Jennifer Rossen, MD, a pediatric ophthalmologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, recently received a $1 million five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health/National Eye Institute (NIH/NEI) to study the genetics of cataracts in children.

10 Jun 2026

Manuka honey eye drops outperform artificial tears for dry eye relief

A clinical study reveals Manuka honey eye drops significantly improve dry eye symptoms after cataract surgery, outperforming traditional treatments.

1 May 2026

Mount Sinai ophthalmologist unveils breakthrough ocular fluid monitoring tool

A Mount Sinai ophthalmologist will unveil a novel surgical technology that allows eye surgeons to measure and respond to critical fluid dynamics inside the eye in real time—an advance that may significantly improve precision and outcomes in glaucoma and other ophthalmic procedures.

9 Apr 2026

Study offers new insight into the earliest steps of cataract formation

Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness worldwide and are considered a priority disease by the World Health Organization.

4 Mar 2026

Study examines the relationship between leukocyte telomere length and age-related cataract

Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness worldwide among adults over 50, despite major advances in surgical treatment.

12 Feb 2026

WHO urges faster cataract surgery access to end blindness

The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to accelerate efforts to ensure that millions of people living with cataract can access simple, sight‑restoring surgery – one of the most effective and affordable interventions to prevent avoidable blindness.

11 Feb 2026

Ending human bait practices in river blindness monitoring

New research shows that it's possible to end the practice of using people as 'human bait' to catch and test the blackflies that spread river blindness (onchocerciasis).

13 Nov 2025

What Britain’s post-war sugar rationing teaches us about long-term heart health

A BMJ study found that individuals exposed to sugar rationing during their first 1,000 days of life had significantly lower risks of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure in adulthood. Early-life sugar restriction was linked to a 2.5-year delay in cardiovascular disease onset, suggesting long-term benefits for heart health.

26 Oct 2025

Revolutionizing cataract surgery with office-based oral sedation

A new study on office-based cataract surgery is challenging traditional approaches to the procedure, demonstrating that patients can undergo successful surgery with minimal oral sedation instead of with intravenous (IV) sedation at hospitals or ambulatory surgery centers.

23 Oct 2025

WHO congratulates Fiji on eliminating trachoma as a public health threat

In a landmark public health achievement, Fiji has been validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.

20 Oct 2025

Major study shows laser eye surgery safe and effective for older teenagers with myopia

A major study of laser correction for short-sightedness shows that the procedure is as safe and effective in older teenagers as it is in adults, according to research presented today (Tuesday) at the 43rd Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).

16 Sep 2025