Around 23,500 people across Norfolk and Suffolk are risking losing their eyesight
New research has shown the amount of people suffering with cataracts.
Thousands of people across Norfolk and Suffolk are putting their eyesight at risk. New research by Johnson & Johnson Vision has highlighted how many people are likely to be suffering from cataracts, without getting them checked.
Johnson & Johnson Vision, part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies announced study results revealing that only 21% of people diagnosed with cataracts (or who have cataract symptoms) are very likely to have surgery, meaning that the remaining majority (79%) are putting their eyesight at risk.
The are 72,200 people in the East of England who have cataracts that require surgery, it includes:
- Cambridgeshire- 7,280
- Norfolk- 13,000
- Suffolk- 10,500
Cataracts is the leading cause of blindness globally, and it is estimated that more than 2% of people over 40 years of age could have cataracts in 2020. This means that more half a million people (549,050) across the UK could be putting themselves at severe risk of sight loss, by avoiding cataract surgery.
Over 1,000 adults from the general UK population were questioned in August 2020 in Johnson & Johnson Vision’s Global Eye Health Survey which also revealed:
Fear of eye surgery (33%) and lack of knowledge about the procedure (21%) are preventing those with cataracts from having surgery
Cataracts have a negative impact on people’s lives with nearly a third believing that cataracts would adversely affect their job or relationships (29% and 28% respectively)
Javad Moayedi is Medical Director and Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Optegra Eye Health Care: “The results from this survey are worrying since a large number of people living with cataracts are not opting for surgery and therefore risking sight loss,”
“...cataract operation is a highly effective and safe procedure that patients can have confidence in. Hospitals up and down the country have put several steps in place to ensure patients can receive this operation safely..."
"If you are suffering from poor vision because of cataracts, I would like to reassure you that your local hospital will look after you, and that cataract surgery is safe, quick and really does change lives.”