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Cataract Blindness: How Eye Surgeons Can Address the Global Problem

Cataract Blindness: How Eye Surgeons Can Address the Global Problem Abstract The main cause of blindness has shifted from infection (onchocerciasis, trachoma, corneal ulcers) to cataracts. Similarly, blindness caused by malnutrition (keratomalacia) is disappearing in the more affluent developing nations. As a result of a lack of effective international organization in the poor areas of the world, the number—in the millions—of blind cataract victims continues to increase, despite great medical advances that can allow normal vision to be restored at low cost to all blind cataract patients. As life span increases, according to some reports,1 cataract now accounts for 50% of blindness today. In the past, intracapsular cataract extraction was used to treat cataracts, but unfortunately this method only restores limited vision. For a number of reasons, intracapsular cataract extraction is still usually the procedure used, although it is now clear that extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and posterior chamber implant can restore normal vision to thousands of victims of cataracts References 1. Lim ASM. Impact of technology on mass blindness in Asia . Jpn J Ophthalmol . 1987;31:375-383. 2. Lim ASM. Vision for the World . Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Co; 1996:23-28. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Ophthalmology American Medical Association

Cataract Blindness: How Eye Surgeons Can Address the Global Problem

Archives of Ophthalmology , Volume 114 (10) – Oct 1, 1996

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References (2)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0003-9950
eISSN
1538-3687
DOI
10.1001/archopht.1996.01100140499043
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract The main cause of blindness has shifted from infection (onchocerciasis, trachoma, corneal ulcers) to cataracts. Similarly, blindness caused by malnutrition (keratomalacia) is disappearing in the more affluent developing nations. As a result of a lack of effective international organization in the poor areas of the world, the number—in the millions—of blind cataract victims continues to increase, despite great medical advances that can allow normal vision to be restored at low cost to all blind cataract patients. As life span increases, according to some reports,1 cataract now accounts for 50% of blindness today. In the past, intracapsular cataract extraction was used to treat cataracts, but unfortunately this method only restores limited vision. For a number of reasons, intracapsular cataract extraction is still usually the procedure used, although it is now clear that extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and posterior chamber implant can restore normal vision to thousands of victims of cataracts References 1. Lim ASM. Impact of technology on mass blindness in Asia . Jpn J Ophthalmol . 1987;31:375-383. 2. Lim ASM. Vision for the World . Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Co; 1996:23-28.

Journal

Archives of OphthalmologyAmerican Medical Association

Published: Oct 1, 1996

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