Posted by Nikoletta Ventseslavova

Read if: You are struggling with vision impairment and are considering options for eye surgery.

What you can gain: More information about how cataract surgery can help change you vision for good, and how it is changing the lives of others around the world.

The cost: Free (covered by insurance) – $5,000+, depending on technology selected

Did you know that cataracts are one of the leading causes for blindness worldwide? In fact, by the age of 80 nearly half of all seniors in the U.S. have developed cataracts to some extent. Because cataracts develop very gradually, many people aren’t aware that their vision is slowly declining, and that the cause can be easily remedied. Thanks to new technology in the medical field, cataract surgery is much more effective and less painful than it was even several decades ago. Cataract surgery is restoring vision to millions of people throughout the world both through traditional medical practices and humanitarian efforts.

What are Cataracts?

A cataract is basically a clouding in the lens of the eye that causes vision impairment, but when fully developed can lead to complete blindness because it prevents the transmittal of light into the eye. While the majority of cataracts develop in the elderly due to aging, cataracts can also develop in children and adults as a result of exposure, health problems, or eye trauma. Without proper diagnosis, many people, especially the elderly, often assume that their vision is declining simply due to age. However, a simple trip to a local eye doctor can determine if there are underlying problems that are contributing to vision impairment. Those who don’t make regular visits to their eye doctors are often unaware that they are developing cataracts because they simply adapt to their slowly declining vision. If your eye doctor detects that you are in the process of or have already developed cataracts, he or she will mostly likely refer you to a trusted eye surgeon, who will perform cataract surgery.

How Does Cataract Surgery Work?

In the past:

Advances in cataract surgery have come a long way in the past several hundred years. While people have been suffering from cataracts since antiquity, the process of removing cataracts wasn’t developed until the 1700′s in France. These early surgeries were extremely painful, involving no anesthetic, and patients were bedridden for weeks after the surgery in order for the wounds to heal in their eyes. In the 1960′s, a revolutionary technique was developed that allowed for smaller incisions. The newer procedure actually broke up the obstructed lenses into many pieces which could then be essentially sucked out of the eye with small instruments. However, because the lens of the eye was removed in surgery, patients had to use thick, exterior glasses for the rest of their life in order to see.

Nowadays:

Modern cataract surgeries are considered miracles for many people, because it can restore vision to near-perfection, even after someone has experienced almost complete blindness. Eye surgeons now use advance instruments and measurement techniques to make extremely small incisions in the eye to remove the lens obstructed by the cataract. Once the cataract is removed, they then insert an intraocular lens (IOL), which acts like vision correction glasses but are permanent and implanted within the eye.  Until recently, eye surgeons performed the incisions for cataract surgery manually, but new technology is available that allows computerized lasers to perform the incisions for the utmost accuracy.

The type of lens, or IOL, that is implanted during cataract surgery plays a role in the quality of vision a patient experiences after the surgery. Basic lenses often provide either near-perfect up close or distant vision. More advanced multi-focal lenses function almost like the natural eye, allowing the patient to see to near-perfection both up-close and long distance.

How Much Does Cataract Surgery Cost?

In the U.S., the cost of cataract surgery can vary greatly depending on the type of surgery and lens that is selected. Because cataracts can cause serious vision impairment or blindness, it is typically a condition that is covered by most insurances and even Medicare for seniors. However, typically only the most basic forms of surgery and lenses are covered by insurance. If a patient wants to opt for laser cataract surgery for improved accuracy, or multifocal lenses for better vision, they will typically have to pay the extra costs out-of-pocket. According to a report by AllAboutVision.com, the average cost of cataract surgery without insurance in the U.S. is about $3,279 per eye.

How Cataract Surgery Is Changing Lives Around the World

Most people in developed countries have easy access to professionals who can perform safe and effective cataract surgeries. However, there are still millions of people who either live in poverty or underdeveloped nations that are suffering from poor vision or blindness due to cataracts and have no option to turn to.

Many physicians and organizations recognize this problem and are taking measures to help the cause of restoring vision to the underprivileged throughout the world. There are several charities and humanitarian organizations that are focused on providing basic cataract surgeries for people throughout the world who otherwise couldn’t afford it.  These organizations and charities travel around the world and set up make-shift clinics to perform thousands of cataract surgeries to those who need it. The gift of sight is one of the most valuable things that can be given to people in need. With their sight restored, patients are no longer a burden to their town or village and can provide for themselves and for their families.

How You Can Help

You may not be a physician or member of a charity that travels world-wide to restore sight, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do your part to support the cause. There are many charities that accept donations to fund their work in restoring sight to thousands. Even just a few of your dollars can help restore someone’s sight for life, which is a pretty incredible gift.

If you are interested in helping give the gift of sight, here is a list of a few charities that accept donations:

www.worldcataract.org/

http://www.operationeyesight.com/

http://www.missioneyes.net/

http://ridleyeyefoundation.org/Welcome.html

http://www.randeye.com/rand_eye_foundation/rand_eye_foundation.htm

About the Author:Erika Potter is a blog enthusiast, marketing specialist, and freelance writer for Davis Vision, the leading provider of Utah cataract surgery.

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