Yet as India came to recognize that its growing rates of blindness were driven by treatable cataracts, things began to change. Over the past several decades, its eye care system has made tremendous strides. On the back of strong leadership, innovation, funding, and government support, eye care has improved and more people have gained access.
Full Answer
What is the history of cataract surgery in India?
In the early days of cataract surgery in India, most operations — particularly those targeting low-income or rural populations — were done in makeshift operating rooms in villages. The technology was old and the conditions typically subpar, with little follow-up.
What has been the impact of the cataract blindness project in India?
Though a formal impact evaluation was not done, the World Bank’s Implementation Completion Report provides information on the major achievements of the Cataract Blindness project in India. Based on an estimated 3.5 million cataract surgeries each year, about 320,000 people were saved from blindness annually.
Is India a model for low-cost cataract surgery?
But since then, a dramatic turnaround has seen India become a model for high-quality, low-cost eye care. In the early days of cataract surgery in India, most operations — particularly those targeting low-income or rural populations — were done in makeshift operating rooms in villages.
How many people are saved by cataract surgery in India?
Based on an estimated 3.5 million cataract surgeries in India in 2000, 320,000 people were saved from blindness.
What improvements have been made to cataract surgery?
Integrated systems for the operating room to help position astigmatism-correcting lenses, Intraoperative aberrometry, heads-up, three dimensional visualization systems as well as many new technology IOLs that increase post-operative visual range and precision are recent developments that expand options and may improve ...
When was the first successful cataract surgery?
The first true cataract extraction was performed in 1747, in Paris, by the French surgeon Jacques Daviel. His procedure was more effective than couching, with an overall success rate of 50%.
How successful is cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is a quick, painless eye surgery to remove a cloudy lens that is causing vision problems. More than 50% of people over the age of 80 have cataracts or have had cataract surgery. Some 90% of people have successful surgery, which is improvement in vision. Full recovery can take up to eight weeks.
What is the most successful cataract surgery?
Laser-assisted cataract surgery is the latest and most advanced method of performing cataract surgery. And many ophthalmologists prefer laser cataract surgery over traditional cataract surgery as a pre-treatment to “soften” cataracts.
Who performed the first cataract surgery in the world?
The first true case of cataract surgery was performed by French surgeon Jacques Daviel in Paris in 1747. His procedure was more effective than couching, with an overall success rate of 50%².
How did they remove cataracts in the old days?
In ancient times, cataracts were treated with a technique called couching, which could only be performed when the lens had become completely opaque, rigid, and heavy to the point that the supporting zonules had become fragile.
What is done during cataract surgery and what is the success rate?
Each year, eye surgeons perform more than 3 million cataract surgeries in the U.S. It's estimated the success rate for restoring full vision to cataract patients tops 90%. During the procedure, the surgeon lifts out the cloudy lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL).
Are cataract ops always successful?
Like we said before, cataract surgery is a common surgery with a high success rate of 98%. However, the longer you wait to have cataract surgery, the more likely it is that you can experience some setbacks. In other words, cataract surgery isn't always successful … but it usually is.
How much does a cataract surgery cost in India?
What is the cost of Cataract Surgery in India? The exact cataract surgery cost depends on the hospital and the cataract surgery type, but it is normally somewhere between 15,000 to 80,000 INR.
How did they do cataract surgery?
Your surgeon will look through a microscope as they make a small incision to the front of your eye. They will then insert an ultrasonic probe into the incision to break up your lens and remove the cataract. The pieces will be removed with the probe using suction.
How Much Is cataract surgery?
$3,000 to $5,000 per eye for standard cataract surgery. $4,000 to $6,000 per eye for laser-assisted cataract surgery or procedures using advanced lens implants.
What is the best way to remove cataracts?
During cataract surgery, the clouded lens is removed, and a clear artificial lens is usually implanted. In some cases, however, a cataract may be removed without implanting an artificial lens. Surgical methods used to remove cataracts include: Using an ultrasound probe to break up the lens for removal.
What is cataract in India?
Fact Check | Cataract in India: A focus area, yet miles to cover. Cataract refers to a clouding of the lens of the eye causing gradual loss of vision. It is common in old age but can also be triggered by injuries to the eye.
How many cataract surgeries were performed in 2017-18?
In 2017-18, 15,91,977 surgeries were performed under NPCVVI. Cataract refers to a clouding of the lens of the eye causing gradual loss of vision. It is common in old age but can also be triggered by injuries to the eye.
How many blind people are there in India?
There are an estimated 12 million blind people in India. According to government data, 62.6% of all blindness in India is a result of cataract, which means that it is reversible with timely surgery.
Where was cataract surgery done in India?
In the early days of cataract surgery in India, most operations — particularly those targeting low-income or rural populations — were done in makeshift operating rooms in villages. The technology was old and the conditions typically subpar, with little follow-up. Focus on: Vision.
Which countries are looking to the Indian model for eye care?
Countries from Bangladesh to Kenya are now looking to the Indian model for eye care, and Aravind trains doctors from around the world. But India itself still has a way to go, say many — from staffing to better use of data, ensuring access to care, and moving to a more comprehensive system.
How did the government change the way eye care was done?
The government program helped change the way eye care was done. It focused on a transition to a new type of surgery that was more difficult but also more effective , and changed regulations to require surgery to be done in hospitals and not in makeshift camps. Over time, it has doubled the number of ophthalmologists trained each year and expanded the program beyond cataracts to other areas of eye care, including support for children and those with diabetic retinopathy, Aravind’s Thulasiraj said.
What was the 1.3 percent prevalence rate of blindness in 1976?
It was a 1976 medical research survey that spurred the government action on eye care. The survey recorded a 1.3 percent prevalence rate for blindness, with cataracts the leading cause.
What percentage of ophthalmologists were free in 1986?
A follow-up survey in 1986 found that the prevalence rate had risen to 1.49 percent. Soon after, the government decided to allow free imports of ophthalmic equipment and other supplies, vastly improving access to the critical goods needed for examination and surgery.
Does India have cataracts?
Yet as India came to recognize that its growing rates of blindness were driven by treatable cataracts, things began to change. Over the past several decades, its eye care system has made tremendous strides. On the back of strong leadership, innovation, funding, and government support, eye care has improved and more people have gained access.
Who was the first person to perform intracapsular cataract extraction?
Intracapsular Cataract Extraction. While Daviel was credited as the first to perform ECCE, in 1753 a London surgeon by the name Samuel Sharp is the earliest documented to perform intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE), this involves the removal of the opacified lens and the surrounding capsule in one piece.
Who said "extraction alone is but half the cure for cataracts"?
In fact, Sir Harold Ridley exclaimed that “extraction alone is but half the cure for cataract.”. During World War II, Dr. Ridley observed that one of the Royal Airforce pilots had sustained shrapnel ocular trauma from plastic and despite having a foreign body, remained largely asymptomatic for years.
Why do cataracts cause blurry vision?
A cataract is a pathologic condition in which the lens of the eye becomes opacified causing changes in vision that may include blurriness, color changes, halos around light, and at its worst blindness. There are many causes and risk factors for developing a cataract, however the most common cause is a senile cataract in which the clouding of the lens is caused by aging. For this reason, it is not surprising that cataracts are a leading cause of blindness worldwide affecting over 20 million in 2010, with the incidence projected to increase. Prior to the 1700s some people thought cataracts were caused by opaque liquid material flowing through the lens hence the etymology of cataract is from the Latin word “cataracta” which means waterfall - or perhaps because sometimes a dense cataract can resemble one to the imaginative viewer.
What is an IOL in cataract surgery?
An IOL, often foldable, is then inserted into the remaining lens capsule if possible. Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS) was approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration in 2010. The femtosecond laser has imaging software to image the cornea, capsule lens and anterior chamber.
What is the function of a natural lens?
An important function of the natural lens is to refract light waves so that they are focused on the retina, providing a clear image. Patients without such lenses are considered aphakic and before the advent of intraocular lenses (IOLs) required often high-powered, bulky spectacles, which often led to poor visual quality. In fact, Sir Harold Ridley exclaimed that “extraction alone is but half the cure for cataract.” During World War II, Dr. Ridley observed that one of the Royal Airforce pilots had sustained shrapnel ocular trauma from plastic and despite having a foreign body, remained largely asymptomatic for years. This inspired a collaboration with the Plastics Division of Imperial Chemical Industries to develop the first IOL made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), mainly used in airplanes at that time. In 1949 Dr. Ridley was credited to perform the first IOL operation at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London. His work was met with disdain as this was a revolutionary idea of inserting a foreign object inside the eye. Further criticism stemmed from complications such as glaucoma, inflammation, inability to individualize the refractive strength of the IOL, and frequent dislocation of the IOL. Dr. Ridley admits that further work was necessary to address many of the complications, but his innovative work paved the way for modern advancements in IOL and cataract surgery.
Where is the needle used to pierce the eye?
In this method, a sharp needle is used to pierce the eye near the limbus until the provider can manually dislodge the cataract - typically into the vitreous chamber - and out of the visual axis. However, the lack of aseptic technique and rough nature of the procedure resulted in poor outcomes.
Can cataracts be removed?
When cataracts cause visual impairment, surgical intervention is currently the only method for treatment. Fortunately, because of advances in technology , cataracts can now be removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL) with a low complica tion rate. Mature cataract.
What is the only treatment for cataracts?
If non-surgical measures do not help, surgery is the only effective treatment. It is considered when a cataract progresses and decreases vision to a point that it interferes with your lifestyle and daily activities. 1
How to reduce cataract symptoms?
Certain changes can significantly reduce these symptoms. 1 . Cataract symptoms may be improved with new eyeglasses, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses. Certain tints and coatings also can be added to lenses to reduce symptoms. Even better positioning of lamps or reading lights can help. Your eye doctor may recommend ...
What is phaco in cataract surgery?
Phacoemulsification (phaco) is the most common type of cataract removal procedure performed today. 3 An ultrasonic device vibrating at a very high speed is inserted into the eye through a very tiny incision.
How many stitches are needed for cataract surgery?
The surgeon then inserts an artificial lens into the eye. Depending on the type of incision used, only one stitch (or none at all) may be required to close the wound. This cataract treatment is also called "small incision cataract surgery.".
What is cataract treatment?
Early cataract treatment is aimed at improving your quality of vision. When cataract symptoms appear, you may experience cloudy or blurry vision, light sensitivity, poor night vision, double vision, and changes in your eyewear prescription. Certain changes can significantly reduce these symptoms. 1
When will cataract surgery be done?
on April 19, 2020. If you are diagnosed with a cataract, there are other treatment options that you can consider before choosing surgery to replace your clouded lens .
When to wear eye patch after cataract surgery?
Patients are generally released directly after surgery. You'll be instructed to wear an eye patch during your first night after surgery to protect your eye. After your first post-operative visit, you will usually be advised to wear a night guard patch for the next several nights.