Cataracts affect 1.19 million in Taiwan in 2022

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — According to 2022 statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare's National Health Insurance Administration, approximately 1.19 million people sought medical treatment for cataract-related diseases, with about 250,000 undergoing artificial lens replacement surgery.

Cataracts, an age-related eye disease, typically affect those over 60. However, due to the frequent use of digital devices and prolonged exposure to strong light, the number of younger cataract patients under 50 is gradually increasing.

As Taiwan enters an era of an aging population, people's vision will gradually deteriorate with age, said Universal Eye Center President Lin Pi-jung. Lin further explained that almost everyone has a mobile phone, and staring at the screen for a long time can harm the eyes due to blue light, possibly leading to the early onset of cataracts.

If cataracts affect daily life, medical treatment is recommended. Current technology is highly advanced, and vision can be restored through artificial lens replacement surgery. Moreover, due to the small surgical wound, the recovery time can be significantly shortened.