Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Frantz EyeCare Announces Annual Mission Cataract Event
By Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS
After learning she had cataracts in both eyes, Jacqueline Pearlman began researching cataract surgeons in Southwest Florida, where she lives. Today, she is beyond thrilled with how well she can see since having her cataracts removed at Frantz EyeCare.
“It’s amazing what I see now that I never saw before,” said Jacqueline. “My eyesight is 100 percent better!”
In reality, Jacqueline’s surgery very likely did even more for her than improve poor vision. According to the results from a large-scale peer-reviewed 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% lower risk of death among the 41,735 women who had their cataracts removed. Similar studies have shown a lower death rate in men as well as women following cataract surgery.
The findings were published in JAMA Ophthalmology fall of 2017. The conclusion they found was that when people see better, “they can also move and get more exercise,” said Dr. Anne Coleman, director of the study. “The surgery also improves visual contrast, which decreases the risk of accidental deaths from falls or driving.”
Falling: A Significant Health Threat to Seniors
According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. Falls threaten seniors’ safety and independence as well as creating significant economic and personal cost. Not all falls are due to poor vision and depth perception but many are.
Frantz EyeCare is doing its part to help counteract this danger for seniors. “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.”
Cataract surgery is the most performed surgical procedure in the U.S. today, with more than 3 million Americans having cataracts removed each year (Prevent Blindness America). Cataract surgery has come a long way over the years.
Technological advances and the advent of laser-assisted cataract surgery have brought new levels of accuracy and safety to an already safe procedure. 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.
For those who have lived with refractive errors all their lives, post-cataract surgery vision may be considerably better than any vision they’ve ever experienced. 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.
Frantz EyeCare Partners with Mission
Cataract for Third Year
Each year, the team at Frantz EyeCare looks forward to its much-anticipated Mission Cataract outreach event. Partnering with Mission Cataract USA, Frantz EyeCare will perform free cataract surgery on Friday, Sept. 28 for patients who qualify (not covered by private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, are US citizens and fall below the HHS poverty level guidelines).
“Participating in this event is such a privilege,” said Dr. Frantz. “Being a part of the life-changing procedures for these deserving patients who have fallen through the cracks is truly an honor.” Open registration for Frantz EyeCare’s Mission Cataract now available.
Dr. Frantz was the first and is the 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?
Call 239-418-0999 or visit bettervision.net to schedule your evaluation today.
*According to AHCA data 1st quarter 2017.
