Global cataract survey: Majority of senior citizens prefer cataract surgery to improve eye health

Hyderabad: For Indians, maintaining healthy vision is considered the most important aspect of ageing, even above memory and mobility, as per a global survey conducted by an eye care agency. With everyone using smartphones for several hours daily, including senior citizens, vision and eye issues become significant among the ageing population.

The global cataract survey

Alcon Eye Company conducted a cataract survey across 10 countries among people aged 50 plus years to gather insights on vision and cataracts. It was held between March and April 2023 and the results were published in July. The countries participating in the survey included Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, South Korea and the United States.

The total participants for the study were 7,331 out of which 600 were from India. Around 1,826 (100 in India) were pre-and-post-cataract surgery patients who had received their diagnosis within the last five years (both monofocal and multifocal intraocular lens recipients). As many as 5,505 participants (500 in India) had not been diagnosed with cataracts and had not undergone surgery. According to the survey, across the globe, those who have used advanced cataract solutions and surgery agree that they have experienced improved vision and better quality of life.

Key findings of the survey

In India, vision ranks number one, above memory and mobility, as the most important concern of ageing, by 86 per cent of people in India.

A total of 54 per cent of Indians feel older as a result of wearing glasses. Around 92 per cent of Indians are willing to pay for a cataract lens that would liberate them from the need for glasses. Around 74 per cent of Indians, if given the opportunity, would feel liberated without their glasses.

Most Indians (around 90 per cent) are willing to invest in cataract surgery to ensure vision clarity. More than 90 per cent of people who have been diagnosed with cataracts look forward to activities such as reading, using electronic devices, driving, walking and solving crossword puzzles after cataract surgery. About 88 per cent say that their vision has improved after surgery. With regards to information on cataract surgery, in India, 59 per cent of people stated they were likely to consult eye care professionals while 39 per cent and 37 per cent mentioned family and friends respectively, and 36 per cent cited health-specific websites.

Amar Vyas, country manager of Alcon India, said, “India has a population of around 260 million ageing adults. According to the findings of this survey, good vision is highly valued as people age. Clear vision is crucial for people to enjoy daily activities they look forward to and it also supports the process of healthy aging. The survey findings underscore the need to educate patients about their options for clear vision post-cataract surgery. Cataract surgery replaces the clouded lens with an advanced technology intraocular lens. Moreover, it is an opportunity to not only restore vision to pre-cataract clarity but also to correct refractive errors such as presbyopia and astigmatism, while reducing the need for glasses.”