How Cataract Surgery May Prevent Hip Fractures
Cataract surgery significantly reduces the risk of hip fracture in the elderly, according to a
study from
The Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers found that people in their early 80s experienced almost 30 percent fewer hip fractures in the first year after cataract surgery, compared to similar patients who did not have surgery,
The New York Times reports.
Those who had cataracts removed had 16 percent fewer hip fractures in the year after surgery than those who did not, the study found, though the youngest patients--those ages 65 to 69--did not experience this benefit, and instead experienced an increase in hip fractures.
Still, patients ages 80 to 84 experienced the most significant benefit, with 28 percent fewer hip fractures. Those who had many other illnesses and chronic conditions, like heart disease, were 26 to 28 percent less likely to experience a fracture than equally sick patients who did not have the cataracts removed.
People who had severe cataracts removed experienced 23 percent fewer hip fractures than those who had severe cataracts but did not have surgery.
See the entire New York Times article here.