Osteoporosis & Risk of Cataracts

Most people know that getting enough calcium is an important factor in bone health and the occurrence of osteoporosis. But, what you may not know is that calcium is also an important factor in cataract formation.

Research on Osteoporosis & Cataracts

A recent study in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology reported important information regarding an association between cataracts, cataract surgery and osteoporosis. The researchers evaluated the association between osteoporosis and cataracts. First, they found that age, female sex, higher socioeconomic class, smoking, chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases are all associated with an increased prevalence of osteoporosis.

Then through careful statistical modeling they also found that these factors and osteoporosis are ALL associated with an increased prevalence of cataracts. Thus, they concluded that osteoporosis is associated with the presence of cataracts which may be related to calcium imbalance, hormonal abnormalities, and even a shared genetic predisposition.

If you or someone you know is concerned about osteoporosis and their risk of cataracts, please call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser. 

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.