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16.11.2018 15:47:09
80% of respondents over 60 had little or no knowledge of cataracts, although their main concern was that visual impairment could affect their quality of life and independence.
More than half of them were unaware that both frequent and effective cataract surgery can also treat other visual disturbances such as presbyopia (presbyopia) or astigmatism (astigmatism).
Cataract surgery is the most common surgical procedure in the EU and is performed 4.2 million times a year.
Vienna, 21 September 2018 - A study of more than 5,000 people, ages 60 and up, in 12 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa has highlighted the considerable need for a better understanding of cataracts and their treatment.
80% of respondents had little or no knowledge of cataract and almost half (43%) were unaware that most of the time this eye condition was part of the natural aging process. In the study, a majority of respondents (89%) said that vision is their most important purpose. Despite the express concern that visual disturbances, such as those caused by a cataract, worsen their quality of life and thereby lose their independence, only 43% of respondents have their eyes examined by a doctor or ophthalmologist at least once a year.
"Our goal is to prevent people from having a treatable eye condition such as cataracts and to limit their lives Aging does not have to mean limiting everyday activities due to poor eyesight - as people learn to recognize the symptoms of cataracts, their treatment options understanding and seeking help early, they maximize their chances of enjoying life with the best possible eyesight, "said Benedikt Hoffmann, General Manager of Alcon Austria and Switzerland.
While most respondents (81%) were aware that cataracts could be treated with surgery, nearly a quarter (24%) thought their cataracts needed to develop fully before they could be operated on. In fact, the only effective treatment is surgery in which the opacified lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one - the so-called intraocular lens or IOL. Delaying treatment can make cataract surgery more difficult and increase the risk of complications.
"Eyes also age, and the first sign of this aging is often the development of presbyopia in their forties, and then you may develop a mild cataract in your fifties, but the symptoms start to appear later, usually in the sixties or seventies," he said Professor Oliver Findl, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Hanusch Hospital in Vienna. "Nowadays, with the new 2/3 developments in eye surgery, it is possible to treat both presbyopia and cataract and refractive errors such as myopia (myopia), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism with a single operation thanks to the new intraocular lenses Patients often do not need to wear glasses after surgery."
A new generation of intraocular tristimulus lenses has been developed to treat astigmatism and presbyopia in cataract surgery, as well as refractive errors that are common in cataract patients. While 85% would opt for a modern surgical procedure that would treat their cataracts and improve their vision, the vast majority (75%) of respondents who underwent cataract surgery had not been informed in advance.
"Early detection through regular eye exams is recommended for people over the age of 40. Age-related eye disease can develop even if a person has never worn glasses during their lifetime, which is the best time for patients and ophthalmologists to discuss treatment options Patient can make an informed decision, "added Professor Findl.
