According to a new study published by Mayo Clinic, more people are undergoing cataract surgery than ever before, and at younger ages.
Cataract surgery is the removal of the natural lens of an eye that has developed a cataract—a clouding of the lens inside the eye that leads to a decrease in vision. The eye is then fitted with a synthetic lens to restore the patient’s eyesight.
Cataracts usually form naturally at an advanced age, which is why the results of the Mayo Clinic study are so surprising. Between 2005 and 2011, while the rate of procedure more than doubled for all ages, and patients aged 80 to 89 were the primary recipients, the study noted that 20% were under 65, and that many people as young as 50 were receiving the surgery.
The findings are published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
“Cataract surgery rates are rising in all age groups between 50 and 90, but the greatest increase is in the 70- and 80-year-olds. And part of that is that our older population, or the aging baby boomers, are working longer, they want to be more active, they have more demands on their vision,” says Jay Erie, M.D., a Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist. “That’s why they’re looking for surgery sooner — so that they can remain independent, remain active, continue to work.”
Another reason for the increase in the rate procedure could be cataract surgery’s brevity, affordability, and simplicity. As our own Dr. Chang says, “I think patients are more excited than we are. When we tell them how advanced cataract surgery has become today, they simply cannot believe it.”
While you cannot stop the development of cataracts, they no longer mean blindness or a lower quality of life. A cataract surgeon can perform the procedure before a loss of vision begins interfering with daily activities. If you are experiencing the symptoms of cataracts or other vision problems, schedule an appointment today for a complete eye examination.
