A Seasoned Eye Doctor in Durham, NC Can Deal with Severe Cataract
Blurry vision, reduced color perception, and sensitivity to light are some of the common symptoms of cataracts. If you or an old family member happens to experience any of these, the next step should be to consult a trusted eye doctor in Durham, NC. While there’s no need to rush into surgery as cataracts often do not quickly lead to vision loss, a thorough consultation with an ophthalmologist can yield a rather definite and lasting solution.
Cataract Surgery on the Rise
The demand for eye surgery increases as the number of people with cataract also increases. According to the National Eye Institute, more than half of the population either have cataract or had cataract surgery. This number is growing based on the findings of a study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. USNews.com has this report.
“The number of Americans getting cataract surgery is on the rise as active baby boomers are getting the procedure earlier and often having both eyes repaired, a new study finds.
The findings showed that cataract surgery increased steadily, reaching a rate of 1,100 per 100,000 people in 2011. Sixty percent of people who had cataract surgery on one eye returned within three months to have it performed on the other eye.
Significant increases in cataract surgery over the past 32 years occurred in all age groups, except among those aged 90 and older. The average annual rate of cataract surgery was much higher for women than for men, according to the study in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.”
Although non-communicable, cataracts can lead to vision loss and thereby greatly affect your daily activities and overall quality of life. Cataracts may also render you vulnerable to accidents and, therefore, require prompt treatment via skilled eye doctors in Durham, NC, such as those from North Carolina Eye Ear Nose & Throat.
A cataract is a cloudy material that can be broken down and suctioned through a procedure called phacoemulsification. This is a more advanced method compared to extracapsular surgery that involves making a huge incision on the side of the cornea, which can be risky and may require a longer recovery period. With treatment methods undergoing constant improvement, cataract patients can look forward to regaining clear vision.
(Source: More Americans Getting Cataract Surgery, USNews.com)
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(Image text: FRIDAY, Oct. 11, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The number of Americans getting cataract surgery is on the rise as active baby boomers are getting the procedure earlier and often having both eyes repaired, a new study finds.
"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," study senior author Dr. Jay Erie, a Mayo Clinic ophthalmologist, said in a Mayo news release. "That's why they're looking for surgery sooner -- so that they can remain independent, remain active, continue to work." The researchers looked at data from a U.S. National Institutes of Health-funded study to determine the number of cataract surgeries in Olmsted County, Minn., between 2005 and 2011.)
