#CataractsDontWait: The Real Impact of America’s Leading Cause of Vision Loss

By Cathleen McCabe, MD

Chief Medical Officer, Eye Health America

Bradenton, Florida?

Dr. McCabe is a paid consultant for Bausch + Lomb; this content is sponsored by Bausch +Lomb.

Aging is an inevitable part of life that affects everyone differently. For example, age may impact some peoples’ ability to run marathons, stay out all night or physically lift objects of a certain weight. However, one universal side effect is change in vision or vision loss, often due to cataracts. In fact, the majority of Americans will develop them by the age of 80[1] . ?

As an ophthalmologist, I’m happy to share that we live in a time where cataract surgery is now one of the safest and most effective types of surgery performed in the United States[2] . However, despite a steady increase in procedures performed (over four million cataract surgeries per year in the United States alone), some patients choose to delay treatment out of fear[3] . Here are a few things I want those patients to know: ?

1.?Cataracts are nothing to be afraid of.

While a small number of health conditions like diabetes are known to increase risk of cataracts[4] , many individuals develop them as a result of natural aging. The good news is that surgical technology is more advanced than ever, often allowing a lifetime eyeglass wearer to gain excellent vision and more independence from glasses.

I encourage all adults over the age of 50 to proactively ask their provider about cataracts during routine vision care exams.

2.??Cataracts interfere with our everyday lives.

Whether it’s working or enjoying a hobby, cataracts have the potential to keep otherwise-healthy people from living to their fullest potential. I recently had a patient in his late 50s who delayed getting screened until he noticed his condition was impacting his ability to play pickleball in the evening. Even though the courts were lighted, the glare issues caused by cataracts made it nearly impossible to play comfortably. We were able to quickly treat him and now he’s free to live his life during all hours of the day.

Far too many adults give up or believe restricted activities due to vision have to be accepted as part of aging. They choose to accept that they can no longer do certain things instead of learning about potential treatment options.

3.??Cataracts impact more than just the patient.

Not long ago, I treated a woman whose cataracts had gotten so bad that she relied on her adult daughter for assistance with walking into the examination room. Her daughter confided in me after the operation the great sense of relief she felt; she no longer had to spend every morning and evening caring for her mother and was able to prioritize taking care of her children. In fact, her mother was now able to help her with childcare. Although I was ecstatic for this mother-daughter duo, I couldn’t help but feel like the whole situation could have been avoided if the mother had received treatment earlier.

Cataracts are more than a minor inconvenience; this condition can create unnecessary emotional burden and keep individuals from living on their own terms[5] . In many cases, trained ophthalmologists can restore vision and help patients get back to their lives with minimal downtime[6] .?

Cataracts don’t wait – why should you?

Dr. McCabe is a paid consultant for Bausch + Lomb; this content is sponsored by Bausch +Lomb.

? 2022 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.

BLNP.0046.USA.22

?[1] Cataract Data and Statistics. National Eye Institute. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/outreach-campaigns-and-resources/eye-health-data-and-statistics/cataract-data-and-statistics . Accessed April 26, 2022.

[2] American Optometric Association. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/cataract/cataract-surgery . Accessed April 26, 2022.

[3] https://www.healio.com/news/ophthalmology/20210126/future-of-cataract-surgery-seems-promising

[4] Cataract Risk Factors. Stanford Health Care. https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/eyes-and-vision/cataract/risk-factors.html#:~:text=Aging,the%20sun%20and%20UV%20rays . Accessed April 26, 2022.

[5] Hodge, William et al. “The consequences of waiting for cataract surgery: a systematic review.” CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne vol. 176,9 (2007): 1285-90. doi:10.1503/cmaj.060962

[6] Cataract Surgery. National Eye Institute. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataract-surgery. Accessed April 26, 2022.?