Prevalence of Cataract Among Individuals Aged Over 50 Years in Mazar-e Sharif City During the Year 2025

Abstract

Cataract is one of the most common ocular diseases and a major cause of preventable visual impairment and blindness worldwide, with its prevalence increasing directly with advancing age. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of cataract among individuals aged over 50 years in Mazar-e Sharif city during the year 2026. The present study was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive–analytical in terms of methodology. The study population consisted of all patients aged over 50 years who attended the Mazar-e Sharif Eye Hospital. The sample size was determined to be 120 participants based on Cochran’s formula. Sampling was performed using a simple random sampling method, and data were collected through questionnaires and ophthalmologic examinations. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

The findings of the study revealed that out of 120 participants, 48 individuals (40%) were diagnosed with cataract, while 72 individuals (60%) were non-cataract cases, indicating a relatively high prevalence of the disease in the studied population. Age distribution analysis demonstrated that the highest proportion of participants belonged to the 60–69 years age group (30%). Furthermore, the results indicated that the prevalence of cataract increased progressively with advancing age, and the disease was more common among older age groups. In terms of gender distribution, the prevalence of cataract was slightly higher among women compared to men. Additionally, the findings showed that risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and smoking were associated with a higher prevalence of cataract; individuals with diabetes and hypertension, as well as smokers, demonstrated a greater prevalence of cataract compared to others.

Overall, the findings suggest that cataract represents a significant public health concern among individuals aged over 50 years in Mazar-e Sharif. Increasing age, chronic diseases, and lifestyle-related factors appear to play substantial roles in the development of cataract. Therefore, implementing regular eye screening programs, enhancing public health awareness, and strengthening ophthalmologic healthcare services may contribute significantly to prevention, early diagnosis, and reduction of cataract-related complications.