Alcon Marks World Sight Day with Meaningful Event

Alcon, a group company of Novartis, held an informational meeting titled "Through Your Eyes: Astigmatism Management in Cataract Surgery" for the fourth consecutive year on the occasion of World Sight Day on Wednesday, 10 October in Istanbul. At the meeting, participants were informed about the treatment of other vision defects in cataract surgery. At the informational meeting organised by Alcon, Prof. Dr. Osman Şevki Arslan, who provided information about cataract and astigmatism, which are among the most common diseases stemming from the natural lens of the eye located behind the pupil that enables vision, stated that cataract ranks first among causes of blindness worldwide and that astigmatism develops due to irregularities in the eye surface.

Approximately 38 percent of those who undergo cataract surgery are forced to wear glasses after the operation due to residual astigmatism. This creates a significant loss both in health and economic terms.

Cataract, which ranks first among causes of blindness worldwide and occurs in 25 million people annually, is considered responsible for approximately 50 percent of blindness worldwide. Refractive astigmatic error is found in 40 percent of patients diagnosed with cataract. While treating cataract, other vision defects can also be treated. With a toric astigmatic intraocular lens, both cataract and astigmatism are eliminated and individuals can look forward to a life without glasses. In 450,000 cataract operations performed in our country last year, toric astigmatic intraocular lenses were used in only 5,000 cases, while 83,000 people who should have received them continued to wear glasses after surgery due to astigmatism because toric intraocular lenses were not used. Advising patients to consult with their doctors about their astigmatism and treatment options before cataract surgery, Prof. Dr. Osman Şevki Arslan emphasised that raising patient awareness about toric intraocular lenses that can also correct astigmatism is important for becoming completely free from glasses after surgery. In his remarks, Arslan said: "Cataract cases constitute approximately half of treatable blindness causes worldwide. In our country too, over the past ten years, the rate at which cataract patients have undergone surgery has increased approximately tenfold, with the annual number of cataract operations reaching 450,000. This is not merely a numerical increase, but also demonstrates that our country has progressed at the same level as the West in terms of knowledge, equipment and technology regarding cataract surgery. At the same time, treating astigmatic defects with toric intraocular lenses contributes greatly to clear vision after surgery and largely eliminates our patients' glasses dependency. It should be emphasised that this can be solved in a single operation by selecting the intraocular lens appropriately during cataract surgery. On the other hand, another point that should be emphasised is that 19 million children worldwide are visually impaired. Treating childhood vision disorders, particularly within the first three years of life, is of critical importance. Since lazy eye develops after this age, and even if the eye disease is treated, lazy eye restricts vision. For this reason, we consider it very important that the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of National Education, together with TOD and other civil society organisations, conduct eye health screening programmes," he said.

What is Cataract?

Cataract is one of the most common age-related eye diseases and is among the leading causes of vision loss*1. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) data, it is estimated that approximately 19 million people worldwide are bilaterally blind due to cataract. These figures show that nearly half of all blindness cases worldwide stem from cataract*2. Cataract is the formation of a cloudy area that affects vision in the normally clear lenses of the eye. While the vast majority of cataracts develop due to normal ageing, exposure to radiation, steroids, diabetes and eye trauma can accelerate cataract development*3. As a cataract develops, the lens of the eye becomes progressively more clouded and allows less light to pass through, making vision more difficult*4.

In Whom Do Astigmatism and Cataract Occur?

Astigmatism can occur in individuals of all ages in the population. Cataract is a disease that can develop with risk factors such as advanced age, diabetes, smoking, eye trauma and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light.

Is Surgery the Only Solution for Cataract?

The only treatment for cataract is surgical removal of the natural lens that has lost its function and transparency and replacement with an artificial intraocular lens.

What Should Be Observed After Cataract Surgery?

The recovery process after cataract surgery is short. For cataract surgery to be successful, there is nothing special to be done other than regularly using the eye drops prescribed by the doctor for the specified period.