Indiana Cataract Prevalence Increases Consistent with Baby Boomer Population Growth

July 30, 2013 - PRLog -- “In our practice over the past 10 years we have seen we see a trend toward increasing cataract prevalence that is consistent with the most recent national U.S. data indicating that since 2000, there has been a 19% increase in people over 40 developing cataracts,” explained Dr. Buck “It’s not terribly surprising as we would expect that the number of people affected by cataracts to grow in some proportion to the growth of the baby boomer population,” further explained Dr. Buck. “What has improved a great deal is our ability to provide patients safe and effective cataract surgery and lens implants with brief, comfortable recovery times and pretty quick restoration of vision so they can resume normal work and recreational activities within a few days,” noted Dr. Buck.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. About 24 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts and more than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80. A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye preventing light rays from passing through it easily. Symptoms of cataracts may include a clouding or blurring of vision, sensitivity to light and glare, double vision or shadowing in one eye, fading or yellowing of colors and poor night vision, sometimes with haloes around lights.

“One of the most common questions I hear from patients with cataracts is asking when they should have cataract surgery or whether waiting too long is dangerous,” shared Dr. Buck. “While we treat each cataract patient and their situation as an individual, we do counsel them that if they notice difficulties or discomfort with blurry or cloudy vision, night driving or with sunlight, to please bring this to our attention. If and when a cataract begins to interfere with the comfort and safety of your daily activities, then it is time to consider having cataract surgery and lens implants. Individual safety and comfort are key as we know that delaying cataract surgery too long can present an increase in surgical difficulty as well as expose patients to a greater risk of falls and hip fractures among seniors.”

Especially with the growing number of baby boomers with cataracts another really common question patients are curious about is whether they will need to wear glasses after their cataract surgery,” commented Dr. Buck.  “Many of these folks have had LASIK and enjoyed not being dependent on eyeglasses or contact lenses-and they want that to continue after cataract surgery. We routinely use toric lens implants to correct astigmatism as well as multifocal lens implants to correct near vision focusing problems and distance vision without requiring bifocals or reading glasses for more and more patients.”

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center is conveniently located for patients seeking cataract surgery and lens implants from throughout northern Indiana including La Porte, Mishawaka, South Bend, Michigan City, Crown Point, Merrillville, Chesterton, South Haven, Westville, Hebron, Lowell, Valparaiso and Walkerton as well as Chicago, Illinois suburban areas of Frankfurt, Calumet City, Monee and Crete.

To learn more about Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or cataracts, cataract surgery and lens implants you may call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 866-522-3937, visit http://www.nwindianaeyeandlaser.com or http://www.facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser or follow our eye care blog.

CONTACT: Kelley Connors, Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center, 502 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383, Phone: 866-522-3937 or email, kelley@drsbuck.com

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.

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