For patients who develop
cataracts at an early age-under 55-it is important to note that there has been
an association between the early onset of cataracts and the potential risk for
developing cancer. This is thought to be due to the fact that early onset cataract is
linked to insufficient antioxidative activity in one’s metabolism-which is also
a known factor for increasing the risk of cancer.
 |
| Dr. Michelson and Dr. Hall |
Research of
Early Onset Cataracts & Cancer
Researchers reporting the journal Cancer
Science,
looked at the risk of cancer after being diagnosed with early onset cataract.
The researchers examined claims from the Taiwan National Health Insurance
Research Database (NHIRD) of patients with early onset cataract, aged 20-55 and
also compared it to a group of the same age range without cataracts. By using
powerful statistical analysis they found that the overall incidence rate of all cancers was 2.19 times higher in the
early onset cataract group as compared to those without cataracts. Further they were able to analyze where these
patients were at greatest risk of developing cancer and found head and neck
areas highest, followed by liver cancer and then breast cancer. This study suggests that patients with
early onset cataract are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with cancer in
subsequent years.
If you or someone you know is concerned about early cataract
development or needs a regular eye exam where do a routine cataract screening
and exam, please share this information with them and ask them to schedule an
appointment at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by
calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center,
Google+ or
www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.
Alabama
Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham is located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th
Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine
Cataract Surgeons Marc Michelson, M.D. and Tyler Hall, M.D. who perform Laser
Cataract Surgery at UAB Callahan Eye Hospital.
