Cataracts are the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide, affecting millions of people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to eye care services is limited. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that cataracts are responsible for 51% of world blindness, affecting approximately 20 million people. Cataracts are prevalent across all regions, but their impact is more significant in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. In regions like sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia, untreated cataracts are a major public health issue due to a lack of surgical services. In contrast, high-income countries have reduced cataract-related blindness through timely surgeries and improved healthcare access. Cataracts primarily affect older adults, especially those aged 60 and above. The risk increases significantly with age, making the elderly population the most vulnerable. However, younger individuals may also develop cataracts due to congenital factors, trauma, diabetes, prolonged steroid use, or excessive UV exposure. Cataracts place a substantial burden on global healthcare systems, particularly in regions with aging populations. The costs associated with cataract surgeries, including pre- and post-operative care, are significant. In resource-limited settings, the backlog of untreated cataracts exacerbates healthcare strain. In high-income countries, healthcare systems bear the cost of managing increasing demand for cataract surgeries, which are among the most frequently performed surgeries worldwide. For individuals with cataracts, the progressive loss of vision can significantly impair daily activities, affecting the ability to work, drive, read, or recognize faces. This loss of independence often leads to reduced quality of life, social isolation, and an increased risk of falls and injuries. Cataracts can also contribute to mental health issues like depression and anxiety, especially in older adults. Analysing patient profiles and surgical details can identify factors that affect the outcomes of cataract surgeries. By reviewing which techniques (e.g., phacoemulsification vs. extracapsular surgery) yields better results in specific patient subgroups, healthcare systems can standardize best practices. Understanding how different patient characteristics (age, medical history) correlate with post-surgical complications can help improve pre-surgical assessments and reduce risks. A thorough review of patient characteristics helps healthcare systems allocate resources more efficiently. If a review shows an increasing number of aging patients, healthcare systems can invest in training more ophthalmologists, expanding cataract surgery services, and procuring necessary surgical equipment. By identifying which patients benefit most from surgery (e.g., those with bilateral cataracts or advanced vision loss), healthcare systems can prioritize cases that offer the greatest improvement in quality of life, thereby improving the cost-effectiveness of interventions. Certain patient groups, such as those from rural areas, low-income backgrounds, or underserved communities, may have limited access to cataract surgery. Reviewing patient demographics helps highlight these disparities, enabling healthcare systems to develop outreach programs, mobile surgical units, or subsidized care to ensure equitable access to cataract treatment. By regularly reviewing surgical techniques, patient characteristics, and outcomes, healthcare systems can identify trends and adopt new technologies or methods that further improve care. For instance, reviewing data on the success of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery versus traditional methods can inform decisions about investing in newer technology..
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