May 31, 2023 — Prevent Blindness has declared June as Cataract Awareness Month to raise awareness of the condition, which affects more than half of all Americans by the time they are 80 years old.
 
To educate the public and assist eyecare professionals with addressing the condition with their patients, the nonprofit offers a dedicated webpage featuring free information on the types of cataracts, risk factors, symptoms, cataract surgery, and available financial assistance resources, in addition to fact sheets and social media graphics available in English and Spanish.
 
Additionally, the “Understanding Cataract” episode of Prevent Blindness’s Focus on Eye Health Expert Series features a discussion about cataracts and cataract surgery with Prevent Blindness president and CEO Jeff Todd and Albert Cheung, M.D., cataract, cornea, anterior segment specialist with Virginia Eye Consultants and assistant professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology.
 
“Unlike many of the other major eye diseases, such as glaucoma or diabetes-related eye disease, cataracts can be easily and painlessly treated by surgery to remove and replace the eye’s lens, restoring sight for most patients,” says Todd. “We urge patients to work with their eye doctor to understand their diagnosis and the best available treatment options.”
 
For more information: preventblindness.org.