Cataract

Abstract

Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness in the world, contributing to approximately 51% of world blindness, which represents about 20 million people (WHO 2010). The most significant and discouraging aspect of this fact is that while cataract blindness is reversible, the number of people blind from cataracts increases each year due to a shortage of healthcare providers. In the United States, cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the Medicare-aged population. Cataracts affect more than 24.4 million Americans age 40 or older, and by age 75, approximately half of all Americans have cataracts. Cataracts affect a much smaller population of children but with significant socioeconomic impact. In 2015, about 3 million cataract procedures were performed in the United States with an estimated $6.8 billion in direct costs. Because of the magnitude of both the number of individuals affected and the associated healthcare costs, considerable effort has been spent to ensure the highest quality care is delivered using the most cost-effective techniques.