Study explores ways to manage secondary cataract

Scientists may have found a way to prevent complications from surgery to treat cataract following a study part-funded by eye research charity Fight for Sight.

Research published by the University of East Anglia (UEA) in the open access journal Scientific Reports investigated ways to manage ‘posterior capsule opacification’ or secondary cataract. It was estimated that by the year 2020, 32 million people will need cataract surgery.

The study was led by Dr Michael Wormstone from UEA’s School of Biological Sciences.

He said: ‘Secondary visual loss responds well to treatment with laser surgery. But as life-expectancy increases, the problems of cataract and posterior capsule opacification will become even greater in terms of both patient well-being and economic burden. It’s essential that we find better ways to manage the condition in future.’