Cataract Awareness Month: Prevalence and What It Means for Hispanic/Latino Patients

By: Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO

June is Cataract Awareness Month, a reminder that while cataracts are a routine part of clinical care, their growing prevalence—and how that burden is experienced across patient populations—deserves closer attention.

In the United States, cataracts remain one of the leading causes of vision impairment. More than 25 million Americans are currently affected, and that number is expected to increase to more than 45 million by 2050.¹ By age 80, over half of Americans will either have a cataract or have undergone cataract surgery.²

When looking at Hispanic/Latino populations, the picture becomes more complex. Some large national datasets suggest slightly lower overall prevalence compared to non-Hispanic White populations.³ However, population-based studies focused specifically on Hispanic communities show a higher risk of visually significant cataracts and greater impact on vision, particularly among individuals of Mexican descent.⁴

At the same time, disparities in access to care continue to shape outcomes. Studies have shown that Hispanic patients are less likely to receive cataract surgery when needed, with factors such as insurance coverage, language, and health literacy playing a significant role.⁵  In some cases, patients present later in the disease process, increasing the impact on daily functioning and quality of life.

These patterns are further influenced by higher rates of systemic conditions such as diabetes, along with broader barriers related to access, communication, and trust in the healthcare system.

For eye care professionals, this is less about recognizing cataracts and more about recognizing how patients move through care. It’s about starting the conversation sooner, being clear about when surgery should be considered, and addressing the practical concerns patients often have—cost, timing, and what to expect. For many Hispanic/Latino patients, family members are often part of the decision-making process, so creating space for those conversations can be just as important. When we understand how patients prefer to communicate and what might be getting in the way, we’re more likely to see follow-through, not just diagnosis.

As the Hispanic/Latino population continues to grow, so will the need for care that reflects these realities. Cataract Awareness Month is a reminder that improving outcomes goes beyond diagnosis—it requires clear communication, trust, and helping patients feel confident taking the next step.

Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO is a nationally recognized optometrist with over three decades of experience specializing in cornea and external disease, particularly dry eye disease. He currently serves as Director of Cornea and external Disease at Kentucky Eye Institute. Dr. Karpecki is also the Chief Medical Editor of Review of Optometry and Director of Clinical Content. 

References

1. Flaxman SR, et al. Vision Loss Expert Group of the Global Burden of Disease Study. Global causes of blindness and distance vision impairment. The Lancet Global Health. 2017.
   https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(17)30393-5/fulltext
2. Congdon N, et al. Causes and prevalence of visual impairment among adults in the United States. Archives of Ophthalmology. 2004.
   https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/416230
3. McCarty CA, et al. Trends in cataract prevalence in the United States by race and ethnicity. Review of Optometry (summary of national data).
   https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/news/article/study-evaluates-cataract-trends-in-the-united-states
4. Varma R, et al. Prevalence of cataract and visual impairment in Latinos: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES). Ophthalmology. 2004.
   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161642004008627
5. West SK, et al. Cataract surgery rates and barriers among Hispanic populations (Proyecto VER). JAMA Ophthalmology.
   https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/417246