Like glaucoma, cataracts can be natural to the aging process. It’s common for people over 60 years old to have both, though the two eye conditions are unrelated. More than three million Americans develop at least one cataract each year and over 20 million people worldwide have the disease.

Each June, cataracts take center stage in a public awareness campaign in which information is promoted on this leading cause of blindness in the U.S.

About Cataracts

The Glaucoma Research Foundation explains that a cataract happens when cloudiness, or opaqueness, forms in the lens of the eye that changes or prevents light from entering, leading to vision loss.*

Another serious eye condition, glaucoma is an umbrella term for a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which transmits visual information to the brain for processing. Causing gradual vision loss, glaucoma happens quietly, often with no symptoms until it is advanced.

While both cataracts and glaucoma are serious, vision loss from cataracts can be reversed with surgery, whereas vision loss from glaucoma is currently treatable but irreversible.

Cataracts are most common in people over age 40. The condition can happen as a result of other conditions such as diabetes, eye injury/inflammation, or an existing eye disease. Factors like intense heat, smoking, genetics, and taking certain steroids can also lead to cataracts.

Six (6) Things to Know About Cataract Treatment

• Vision loss from cataracts can often be restored. In most cases, cataract surgery can successfully remove the clouded eye lens and a clear plastic lens known as an ocular lens implant can be substituted. 
• Cataract surgery is advisable when daily tasks become difficult. When your vision has diminished to the point where daily life becomes difficult, most doctors will recommend cataract surgery. On the other hand, surgery may never be needed if the cataract forms in a part of the eye that doesn’t obstruct your vision.
• Cataract surgery may or may not affect eye pressure. If you have glaucoma from high internal eye (intraocular) pressure, or IOP, cataract surgery can trigger a change in pressure. Whether your IOP will increase, decrease, or remain the same after cataract surgery can’t be predicted. Spikes, in IOP are often temporary and treatable.
• Cataract and glaucoma surgery can be combined. Glaucoma surgery can happen first, since controlling glaucoma takes first priority, or it can be combined with cataract surgery. Your medical needs will determine the approach.
• Glaucoma drugs may affect vision with cataracts. Certain glaucoma medications can impact your vision if you have cataracts. PROPINE® (epinephrine) can increase glare by enlarging your pupil and allowing in more light. Glaucoma eye drops like pilocarpine or carbachol can make your vision worse by shrinking the pupil. (Other glaucoma treatment options should be discussed in these situations.)
• No medicine has been shown effective for cataracts. Currently, there are no effective medications for treating cataracts.

Does Glaucoma Increase Cataract Risk?

Usually, people with glaucoma do not have greater risk of developing a cataract. Exceptions are people with glaucoma from eye inflammation, trauma to the eye, or steroid use. People with developmental conditions can also be at increased risk, such as those with congenital rubella syndrome, an illness in infants caused by infection of the mother with rubella virus during pregnancy.

Speak with your eye doctor about any risk factors in your personal or family history.

*Sakamoto, M.J. (2022, March 16). Cataracts and Glaucoma. Glaucoma Research Foundation. https://glaucoma.org/cataracts-and-glaucoma