Cataract surgery might have the added benefit of reducing the risk of an early death for older women.
Researchers recently reviewed data on over 74,000 women with cataracts including over 41,000 who had cataract surgery.
The average of the women in the study was 71 years and the women were a part of the Women's Health Initiative which was a study that took place from 1993 to 2013. Researchers found that the women who had cataract surgery were 60 percent less likely to die from all causes during the study period.
While researchers could not specifically point to people with cataracts passing away from factors linked to vision, they do believe that people with decreased vision, as in the case of cataracts, also have decreased abilities when it comes to exercising, taking necessary medications following through with doctor appointments, and reduced chance of falling - all factors that have an overall effect on lifespan.*
Doctor-formulated AREDS 2 for Macular Degeneration