Removing Cataracts May Cut Fracture Risk

A new study highlights another possible benefit of cataract surgery — fewer hip fractures. Removing cataracts that cloud vision usually is a safe and quick operation. Success rates are high. Normally, it doesn’t require a hospital stay. The new study focused on a group of 1.1 million Medicare patients who were diagnosed with cataracts. Researchers compared people who had surgery with those who did not. They looked at the rate of hip fractures in the year after surgery. People who had surgery were 16% less likely to have a hip fracture. Benefit was greater for people who had severe cataracts, were at least 75 years old or had many medical problems. The reduction of hip fracture risk was 22% to 28% in these groups. The Journal of the American Medical Association published the study. The New York Times wrote about it August 1.