Expected Lifetime with and without Cataract among Older Adults in China

Abstract

Despite its curability by a simple and low-cost surgical procedure, cataract remains the leading cause-accounting for almost one-half-of all blindness in the world. The problem is particularly severe in developing countries, and with the ageing of populations and increasing life expectancy, the burden of cataract disease is expected to increase substantially in the coming years. Using a demographic approach, this study examined the prevalence of cataract and estimated lifetime with and without cataract among older adults in China, a rapidly ageing country with the world's largest population. Data came from the 2002 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey and life tables in the same year. Sullivan's method was used. The results indicated that overall, 5.7% percent of Chinese aged 65 and over reported having cataract that is diagnosed by an ophthalmologist. Cataract increases with age, affects women more than men, and is higher in urban than rural areas. At age 65, men and women can expect on average 0.7 years (4.7%) and 1.2 years (7.3%) of remaining life with cataract, respectively. The corresponding figures for urban and rural older adults are 1.7 (9.8%) and 0.6 (4.1%) years. The prevalence rates and life expectancy with cataract were likely underestimated given the low levels of eye examinations to detect eye diseases among the Chinese, particularly in rural areas. We discussed preventive strategies to minimize the risk and delay the onset of Population Ageing (2011) 4:65-79

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“…It has been estimated that cataract, as a major cause of global blindness, is responsible for approximately one-half (47.9%) of global blindness or nearly 20 million people around the world [2]. Furthermore, age-related cataracts are considered the leading cause of visual loss and also constitute a big challenge for patients in China with about 2.5 million affected by this condition [3,4].…”