One study has found that the rate of cognitive decline among individuals with cataract was gentler post-op than pre-op and that their rate of decline had become similar with that among individuals with no cataract. Cataract surgery may have a positive impact on trajectories of cognitive decline in later life.

Comparing of 2,068 individuals who underwent cataract surgery and 3,636 individuals with no cataract from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, researchers found an association between cataract surgery and a reduction in the rate of cognitive decline among older adults in England over 13 years of follow-up. Episodic memory scores declined with older age, but the decline in episodic memory scores was slower after cataract surgery. Also, the declines in episodic memory scores were similar in both groups after the intervention.

Because of the high prevalence of both cataracts and cognitive disorders later in life, researchers believe the association between cataract surgery and cognitive longevity has important public health implications for targeting people at risk of cognitive decline and as a potential means to improve cognitive health and prevent dementia.