Background To assess an association between cataract and mortality in a population-based setting. Methods At baseline in 2001, the Beijing Eye Study examined 4255 subjects for cataract using standardized lens photographs which were examined according to the Age-Related Eye Disease Study scheme. In 2006, all study participants were re-invited for a follow-up examination. Results Out of the 4255 subjects, 3142 subjects (73.8%) returned for follow-up examination, while 135 subjects (3.2%) were dead and 978 subjects (23.0%) did not agree to be re-examined or had moved away. In multivariate analysis, the amount subcapsular cataract was significantly associated with increased mortality (P = 0.029; OR: 2.14; 95%CI: 1.08, 4.25), particularly for the subjects with an age of 65+ years and 70+ years (P = 0.016 and P = 0.003 respectively). Correspondingly, product of age times amount of subcapsular cataract was significantly associated with mortality (P = 0.001). Degree of nuclear cataract and amount of cortical cataract were not associated with mortality in multivariate analysis (P = 0.910 and P = 0.938 respectively). Conclusions As also found in previous epidemiological studies on Western populations, cataract, namely subcapsular cataract in elderly subjects, is associated with an increased mortality risk.