By Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS
After learning she had cataracts in both eyes, Jacqueline Pearlman began researching cataract surgeons in her area of Southwest
Florida. Today, she is beyond thrilled with how well she can see since having her cataracts removed at Frantz EyeCare last year.
“My vision now is amazing,” said Jacqueline. “It’s amazing what you see now that you never saw before. My eyesight is 100 percent better!”
That’s great news. But even better? Jacqueline’s surgery very likely did more for her than improve her poor vision. According to the results from a new large-scale study, it may also add years to her life.
A study conducted among 74,044 women with cataracts aged 65 and older followed participants for 20 years. Findings showed a remarkable 60 percent lower risk of death among the 41,735 women who had their cataracts removed.
Wow!
The findings were published in JAMA Ophthalmology fall of 2017 by Dr. Anne Coleman and colleagues at the Stein Eye Institute of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Victoria Tseng was lead author on the study.
According to Prevent Blindness America, cataract surgery is the most performed surgical procedure in the U.S. today, with more than 3 million Americans having cataracts removed each year. And cataract surgery has come a long way, baby.
“Cataract surgery is incredibly safe and effective,” said Dr. Jonathan Frantz, founder and medical director of Frantz EyeCare. “It has a 98 percent success rate and complications are very rare.”
What used to require general anesthesia, a hospital stay and weeks of recovery time is now performed in an outpatient setting with a local anesthetic, tiny incisions with no stitches and very little down time. “It was so easy,” said Jacqueline. “It all went so perfectly and so quickly! The recovery was incredibly easy and I have had no trouble at all.”
The artificial lenses used to replace the cloudy ones in cataract surgery come in a variety of choices that can be geared toward each patient’s lifestyle and goals. Learn about Frantz EyeCare’s LifeStyle lenses here.
So the awesome take away from this new study? Not only can cataract surgery give people the opportunity for a better life while they’re living it, they also have the opportunity to live more of it.
Dr. Coleman of the study had this to say. When women can see better, “they can also move and get more exercise. They can see their pills better and may be more likely to take them and take the right ones. The surgery also improves visual contrast, which decreases the risk of accidental deaths from falls or driving.”
But let’s not leave out the guys!
Previous studies have shown a lower mortality in men as well as women following cataract surgery. This new study confirms earlier findings of fewer deaths in women but it was large enough (and long enough) to show just how the surgery can extend life.
Dr. Frantz is the first and most experienced surgeon in southwest Florida to offer bladeless laser cataract surgery. According to recent data* Dr Frantz is the #1 Cataract Surgeon in Southwest Florida. Ready to learn more about cataract surgery at Frantz EyeCare?
*According to AHCA data 1st quarter 2017.
To schedule your cataract evaluation visit www.bettervision.net or call 239-430-3939 and speak to a Frantz EyeCare team member.