Progress You Can See!

Renewed Vision

Few things are more devastating to an artist than going blind. But that is exactly what was happening to Tracy Glass in her early 50’s. It turned out Tracy had developed cataracts in both of her eyes, a condition that caused her eyesight to deteriorate. However, medical technology would later restore her eyesight completely.

About half of people over age 55 and more than 70 percent of those older than 75 develop cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which prevents a clear image from forming on the retina and impairs vision. While natural aging is the most frequent cause of cataracts, injury, chronic eye disease and other system-wide diseases, such as diabetes, can also lead to cataracts.

Tracy’s optometrist discovered cataracts in both of her eyes during a routine eye exam. Her cataracts developed to the point that she began having trouble recognizing faces and distinguishing certain colors. As an accomplished jewelry maker, painter, sculptor and avid skier, her failing eyesight had a devastating impact on her artistic endeavors and athletic lifestyle.

Medical Technology Restores Tracy’s Vision

After several years of worsening vision, Tracy was referred to an ophthalmologist who recommended she have intraocular lenses (IOLs) implanted in her eyes to replace the cataractous lenses. Advances in diagnostic technology allow a quick and precise determination of the proper IOL optical power for implantation. During IOL implant surgery, the physician uses an instrument the size of a pen tip to break up the cloudy natural lens and replace it with the permanent IOL.

Less than a generation ago, treating cataracts required patients to undergo invasive surgery and stay in the hospital for up to one week. Today, thanks to continual advances developed in close collaboration with physicians, patients like Tracy are treated safely with minimally invasive techniques that take less than an hour and allow them to return home the same day as their surgery. Consequently, cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed and successful surgeries in the United States, with more than two million performed annually.

Having developed cataracts in both eyes, Tracy had one surgery for each eye, performed several weeks apart. As a result, she did not have to take any time out of her busy schedule to recover. Although her physician told her she may not be able to see perfectly for several weeks, Tracy was able to see clearly immediately after her surgery.

The latest generation of multifocal IOLs provides cataract patients with greater independence from glasses than previously developed lens technology. Lens manufacturers indicate that the majority of multifocal IOL patients seldom or never have to wear glasses again.

After surgery, Tracy described looking through her clear protective eye patch, which she wore for several days to protect her eye, as seeing everything around her “in Technicolor.”

Value of Cataract Surgery & IOLs

The economic benefits of cataract surgery have been particularly well documented. A 2001 study concluded that the costs of modern cataract surgery are more than justified by its substantial benefits to Medicare beneficiaries and society as a whole. The study noted that the dramatic technological improvements in cataract surgery translate into better vision, fewer complications, shorter operating room time, reduced hospital stays and improved rehabilitation. In fact, the total cost for cataract replacement surgery today, when inflation rates are taken into account, is equal to what it was at its inception 30 years ago.¹

Tracy often says that this surgery saved her life, and perhaps more than she realizes. One study showed that mortality risk declined by nearly 40 percent in cataract patients who received IOLs.² Another seven-year study found that patients who underwent cataract surgery and IOL implantation had a 50 percent lower rate of automobile crashes than patients who chose not to have surgery.³

Another recent study examined the impact of a late generation IOL implantation on a patient’s intelligence level. The study found that patients experienced a diminished intelligence quotient (IQ) prior to cataract surgery; however, following the implantation surgery the patients’ average IQ was restored to a level equivalent to their levels during the ages of 18 to 30.⁴

Just a few weeks after her eye surgery, Tracy was back to being actively involved in her artistic and athletic interests. Now she is designing high-end jewelry with intricate detail for clients around the world without any glasses or even a jeweler’s loupe. She has also renewed her interest in sketching and plans to try new athletic hobbies, including kite skiing. “I can’t believe I’m so lucky to have benefited from this technology,” she said. “I can see like Superman.”

Personal and Societal Benefits of Cataract Surgery

Auto Accidents	50% lower incidence of crashes³
IQ, Intelligence Quotient	14 point average increase in IQ⁴
Decline in Mortality Risk	40%²

McClellan M, Cutler D. “Is technological change in medicine worth it?” Health Affairs 20(5) (2001):11-29.

McGwin G, Owsley C, Gathreaux S. “The association between cataracts and mortality among older adults.” Ophthalmic Epidemiology 10(2) (2003):107-19.

Owsley C, McGwin G Jr, Sloane M, et al. “Impact of cataract surgery on motor vehicle crash involvement by older adults.” Journal of the American Medical Association 288(7) (2002):841-9.

Lehrl S, Gerstmeyer K. “Additional IQ increase in mentally fit patients by cataract surgery.” American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Meeting; April 2003.