Nearly two million cataract surgeries are performed every year across America, yet most of us still know very little about this very common eye disorder.
- Age-related cataract is the leading cause of vision loss worldwide.
- The prevalence of cataract doubles every decade after age 40.
- Over the past 20 years the annual number of USA cataract operations has quadrupled.
- Cataract surgery accounts for 10% of all Medicare reimbursements.
- In 1980 an average cataract procedure required 45-90 minutes; today that average is closer to 15-20 minutes.
- If a way could be found to delay the onset of cataract for 10 years half of those cataract operations would never be needed, saving billions in health care spending.
- Observational studies suggest multivitamin supplements may delay cataract progression.
- It is unclear if multivitamins are more helpful for people with clear lenses or for those who are already starting to have cataracts.
- 20 million people are blind from cataract worldwide and most have no access to affordable cataract surgery.
- In 1980 most cataract surgery patients spent between 2-3 nights in the hospital. Nowadays most are home in time to make their own lunch.
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