Seeing a solution to cataracts

OLDER Australians are living in fear of losing independence, mobility and doing the things they love due to sight loss from cataracts, with one in five becoming depressed after diagnosis.

This is according to new research commissioned by Johnson and Johnson, focused on raising awareness about blindness and vision impairment.

The research, titled the Australian Cataracts Report, found that while four in five Australians have heard of cataracts, only one in three knows how to spot the symptoms.

A cataract is a clouding of the clear lens in the eye. It is one of the leading causes of vision impairment in Australia.

According to Dr Con Moshegov, a Sydney-based ophthalmologist, Australians need to be more aware of how to spot cataracts and when to speak to an eye doctor.

The report found that when vision was restored, Australians who had cataract surgery most commonly reported feeling much happier (54 per cent), regaining their confidence/ self-esteem (40 per cent) and feeling useful again (30 per cent).

Out of the Australians interviewed who have been diagnosed with cataracts, more than 70 per cent of those who intend to have surgery for cataracts are looking to have it within the next three years.

But according to Dr Moshegov, many are putting it off for too long and the best solution is to treat it early, as treatment can help with multiple eye conditions

“If left untreated for too long, cataracts can lead to blindness. Surgery is the only way to remove cataracts,” Dr Moshegov said.