August 1, 2012
World
The Times reports today on a
study finding that cataract surgery greatly
reduces the risk of hip fracture in the elderly.
The benefits accrued particularly to those who
were most ill and those in their early 80s; they
experienced almost 30 percent fewer hip
fractures in the first year after cataract
surgery, compared with similar patients who did
not have surgery, the researchers found.
Those who had cataracts removed sustained 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 reap this benefit, and in fact
experienced an increase in hip fractures.
Researchers speculated that the youngest
patients having cataract surgery may be very
active people who had the surgery in only one
eye, which could worsen problems with depth
perception and balance, or may include people
with serious neurological ailments. They said
more study of this age group was needed.
But older patients and those who were very ill
benefited tremendously. 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.
And those who had severe cataracts removed
experienced 23 percent fewer hip fractures than
those who had severe cataracts but did not have
surgery.
