Huang HK, et al. - The association between cataract and cataract surgery and risks of osteoporosis and fracture was determined in this nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study. Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, researchers analyzed individuals with (n=57,972) and without (n=57,972) cataracts. Those with cataracts were further divided into cataract surgery and nonsurgery groups. During mean follow-up of 6.4 years, osteoporosis or fractures were noted in 17,450 participants with cataracts and 12,627 without. Observations revealed an independent association of cataract with increased risks of osteoporosis and fracture. Undergoing cataract surgery was noted to be associated with lower risks of all individual events (osteoporosis; hip, vertebral, other fracture) indicating the value of cataract surgery for lowering the risk of osteoporosis and fracture.