Alcon and actress Cheryl Ladd announced their partnership this week as they launched the "Know Your Cataract EYE-Q" campaign.
The campaign is intended to educate patients about cataracts and how to treat
the condition.
“My husband previously had cataract surgery and during the process we realized how little we both knew about the condition and procedure — we found out that there are a lot of misconceptions about cataracts,” Ladd said. “It was important for both us to increase our Cataract EYE-Q so we could ask the right questions to inform our decision making process. I hope my personal journey will inspire others to equip themselves with the information needed to talk to their doctor.”
Cataracts are a leading cause of preventable blindness in older adults. More than half of Americans develop cataracts by age 80. The gradual clouding and hardening of the eye's natural lens prevents light from entering, making it harder to see.
Surgery is the only effective treatment for cataracts. The eye's lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL). In addition to curing the cataract, the surgery can also correct astigmatism and nearsightedness. Patients can usually return to normal activities within 24 hours.
“Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most frequently performed procedures each year, requiring little recovery time or inconvenience to patients' daily lives,” Cincinnati Eye Institute's Director of Cornea Services Dr. Edward Holland said. “In fact, recent advances in lens technology and treatment options make it possible to correct cataracts as well as other vision conditions and can help reduce the need for corrective glasses or contact lenses following surgery."
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