Prevent Blindness Texas Declares June as Cataract Month, Providing Educational Resources on the Leading Cause of Vision Loss in the United States
— Prevent Blindness Texas offers free resources to educate public on risk factors, types of cataract, and more, for the most common form of eye disease —
TX (June 1, 2026) – Because cataract is the leading cause of vision loss in the United States, Prevent Blindness Texas has declared June as Cataract Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 20.5 million (more than 17 percent) of Americans aged 40 years and older have cataract in one or both eyes.
A cataract is a clouding of the clear lens in the eye, affecting vision. Most cataracts develop slowly but eventually affect vision. In addition to aging, other factors may cause cataracts to form. Eye infections, some medicines (such as steroids), injuries or exposure to intense heat or radiation may cause cataracts. Too much exposure to non-visible sunlight (called UV or ultraviolet light) and various diseases, such as diabetes or metabolic disorders, may also contribute to cataract formation.
Types of cataracts include:
- Age-related – 95 percent of cataracts are age-related, usually after age 40.
- Congenital – These are present at birth, usually caused by infection or inflammation during pregnancy; possibly inherited.
- Traumatic – Lens damage from a hard blow, cut, puncture, intense heat or chemical burn may cause cataracts.
- Secondary – Some medicines, eye disease, eye infection, or diseases such as diabetes cause these cataracts.
As part of June’s Cataract Month, Prevent Blindness Texas offers patients and care partners a variety of helpful educational resources on cataract and cataract surgery, one of the most commonly performed operations in the United States. Downloadable fact sheets and shareable social media graphics are available as well as a dedicated webpage at PreventBlindnessTexas.org/cataract.
Additionally, the Focus on Eye Health Expert Series includes the episode “Understanding Cataract” featuring Albert Cheung, MD, Cataract, Cornea, Anterior Segment Specialist with Virginia Eye Consultants and Assistant Professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology.
In the new July episode of the Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Podcast, host Christopher Hord discusses cataracts with Prevent Blindness ASPECT Patient Engagement Program participant, Ashley Mangen VP, Commercial Business Development, First Financial Bank, and member of the Prevent Blindness Ohio board of directors.
“Most people will develop cataract later in life. The good news is that cataract surgery is a safe and effective way to save sight,” said Heather Patrick, President and CEO of Prevent Blindness Texas. “We encourage patients and care partners to check out our free cataract resources and work with their eye doctors to protect and restore healthy vision.”
For free information on cataract or cataract surgery, please visit PreventBlindnessTexas.org/cataract. For a listing of vision care financial assistance programs in English and Spanish, visit PreventBlindnessTexas.org/vision-care-financial-assistance-information/.
About Prevent Blindness Texas
Established in 1956 and incorporated in 1965, Prevent Blindness Texas is the state’s leading eye health and safety nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight. At Prevent Blindness Texas, our vision is vision – making healthy eyes a priority in Texas. We focus on improving the state’s vision and eye health by enhancing community capacity through our core competencies of early detection, patient support, systems enhancement, public policy, public awareness, and health education. Prevent Blindness Texas touches the lives of thousands of Texans through our sight-saving programs and services through our network of volunteers and offices located statewide. For more information, or to contribute to the sight-saving fund, call 1-888-98-SIGHT or, visit us on the Web at www.preventblindnesstexas.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.