Cataracts among cancer survivors

To determine the frequency of cataracts in cancer survivors and their association with patients' demographic characteristics, treatment, and cancer type and the perceived effect cancer had had on their overall health.

This was a descriptive, cross-sectional review of the results of a survey of long-term cancer survivors who had been treated at the authors' institution.

Of 3936 respondents to the survey, 168 (4%) reported having had cataracts. Cataracts were most frequent in survivors of hematologic diseases (chronic leukemia, 17%; myeloma, 13%; acute leukemia, 9%; and lymphoma, 7%). There were no notable associations between cataracts and gender, age, ethnicity, marital status, education completed, or work status. Cancer survivors with cataracts were more likely to report that cancer had affected their overall health (56% vs 39%). There was a trend of association between cataracts and prior treatment with bone marrow transplantation, but not corticosteroids.

Cataracts affect a minority of long-term cancer survivors, but those who reported them were more likely to report that cancer had had a lasting effect on their overall health. Vision evaluation for all cancer survivors is recommended.