Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Modeling Cataract Surgery in Mice
Published on: December 1, 2023
Cataract surgery and the development or progression of age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review
Angelina Bockelbrink1, Stephanie Roll, Klaus Ruether
1Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité-University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany. angelina.bockelbrink@charite.de
Abstract:
Age-related macular degeneration and cataract are the most frequent eye disorders of elderly people worldwide. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of cataract surgery on the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration. Data were collected by means of a systematic literature search in 28 databases and an additional update in Pubmed. Search results were evaluated using pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. All relevant publications were rated in terms of scientific quality and analyzed regarding their results. The literature search generated a total of 2,827 hits. Seven publications on five observational studies and two non-randomized clinical trials were eligible for analysis. The observational studies provided some evidence for an increased incidence of late age-related macular degeneration, respectively, for a promoting influence of cataract surgery on the progression of early types of age-related macular degeneration. The clinical trials did yield inconsistent results. In conclusion, only a small number of published studies investigated the development or progression of age-related macular degeneration following cataract surgery. The scientific level of evidence of these articles was not high and results were inconsistent, nevertheless a promoting influence of cataract surgery on the progression of early age-related macular degeneration can be assumed.
Related Concept Videos
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
Glaucoma: Overview
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
