Alcon’s new global cataract survey has revealed less than half of Australians surveyed understand cataract surgery involves implanting a new permanent lens.

The Alcon Eye on Cataract survey included more than 7,000 participants aged 50+ between March and April 2023 across 10 countries, including Australia (n=575). It revealed that despite 93% of respondents saying eyecare professionals are their preferred source of cataract information, Australia ranked among the lowest in the world for having a discussion with their surgeon about lens options prior to surgery. At 72%, respondents’ willingness to invest in cataract surgery, however, outranked anti-ageing procedures such as hearing aids (69%) and knee surgery (61%). Almost half (45%) of post-cataract surgery patients agreed they had the vision of someone younger, with 69% of those surveyed, including those not yet diagnosed with cataracts, saying they “would feel liberated without their glasses,” reported Alcon. “Following cataract surgery, the percentage of patients who reported reliance on glasses fell from 81% (pre-surgery) to 45%.” Other findings included:

• Only 51% understand they can choose from several different types of IOL to fit their needs
• Only 58% recognise cataract surgery involves implanting a permanent lens into the eye
• More than 1 in 4 people did not know that cataract surgery has a short recovery time
• Cataract patients strongly agreed their quality of life had improved post-surgery, including 81% of patients who received a presbyopia-correcting IOL and 74% who received a monofocal lens

New South Wales cataract, corneal and refractive surgeon Dr Armand Borovik said Australia’s ageing population means the number of Australians affected by cataract is only going to rise. “There’s a need to continue educating patients on the benefits of cataract surgery, the lens options available and what each choice means for their vision.”