Cataracts account for around 42% of all cases of blindness globally, making it the leading cause of blindness.
Defined by a clouding of the eye’s lens, cataracts block or alter the journey of light to the retina, causing symptoms like faded colours and blurred vision. Though older age is a common risk factor, many others exist, including
- diabetes,
- prolonged steroid use,
- eye inflammation, disease or injury,
- smoking,
- alcohol abuse, or
- hereditary influence.
Currently, no medication can cure cataracts. However, modern advances in lens technologies, like toric intraocular lenses (IOL), mean surgery can treat it with high success rates.
Elizabeth Yeu, touchOPHTHALMOLOGY’s Editor-in-Chief, shares her enthusiasm about the state of cataract surgery today, saying, “We are so fortunate to experience the innovations in cataract surgery and lens technologies in the last decade.”
She explains why:
“A clear example of this is the toric IOL. It was only around 2005 I implanted the first generation of the toric monofocal lens implant during residency training.
Now, we are so fortunate to have toricity correction available on every lens platform, sometimes released simultaneously with its spherical equivalent!”
While treatments have improved markedly over the last ten years alone and surgical solutions have become highly effective, awareness and action are essential to maintaining a normal lifestyle.
Cataract Awareness Month takes place throughout June to help educate the public on how to recognise it, the symptoms, types of cataracts, modern surgery available and more.
As Elizabeth Yeu states, current technologies for cataract surgery are advanced and effective – but that doesn’t stop the scientific community from improving it further:
Read:
- Current Challenges in the Postoperative Management of Cataract Surgery
- Highlights from Hawaiian Eye and Retina 2022
- Combined Pars Plana Vitrectomy, Phacoemulsification and Intraocular Lens Implantation: A review on the Advantages and Limitations of Phacovitrectomy
Watch:
- Boris Malyugin on Strategies to Avoid Complications of Cataract Surgery in PEX
- Garry Condon on Tools for Fixing Intraocular Lens Subluxation
The present (and future) is bright for cataract treatment, and Elizabeth Yeu couldn’t be more optimistic:
“I relish, appreciate and am ever thankful for being an eye surgeon who has the gift to fix patients’ vision through modern cataract surgery today.”
touchOPHTHALMOLOGY supports Cataract Awareness Month and its campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms and treatments available for cataract sufferers. Explore our library of video interviews, conference highlights, journal articles, and clinical trial updates to learn more.
Alternatively, you can get in touch to learn how you can benefit from our educational activities and regularly updated content.
