SANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Johnson &
Johnson Vision* announced findings from a new survey** that
assessed awareness of cataracts among adults around the world.
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness globally,1
with more than 90% of people developing cataracts by age
65.2 Yet, the survey reveals a significant lack of
understanding of treatment options, including surgical procedures,
to correct vision loss from cataracts.
Around the world, the majority (70%) of people said they are
familiar with cataracts and even more know that surgery is the most
common treatment option (85%). However, among those diagnosed or
who have symptoms of cataracts, only 30% of Americans surveyed said
they would be very likely to undergo cataract surgery. The most
cited reason for not wanting to undergo cataract surgery was fear.
Of those surveyed, 29% stated they are afraid of undergoing a
cataract procedure and have concerns about the effectiveness of
surgery (28%). In addition, many expressed a lack of knowledge
about cataract procedures altogether (22%).
"For many people suffering with cataracts, the word 'surgery'
can be intimidating. However, cataract surgery is safe and
effective. In fact, it's one of the most common outpatient
procedures performed3," said Dr. Rajesh K. Rajpal, Chief Medical Officer and
Global Head of Clinical and Medical Affairs, Johnson & Johnson
Vision***. "This survey uncovered a critical need for increased
education, dialogue and reassurance between patients, loved ones
and eye care providers."
Benefits of Treatment
Donald Smith, age 70, is retired
and volunteers at a history museum. He recently underwent cataract
surgery and encourages everyone to act on their cataracts, meet
with their doctor and discuss a plan that is right for them. Donald
shared his experience and said, "My procedure went extremely well,
and I have been opened to a whole new world of color and clarity.
It was just like experiencing the Wizard of Oz movie, black
and white to a vibrant world."
Importance of Education
According to Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)
research,4 3 out of 4 patients diagnosed with cataracts
only discovered information about the condition and their treatment
options post-diagnosis.
"People need to know that cataracts are common and very
effectively treated. The procedure is both safe and effective, with
an extremely high success rate of improving patient vision.
Additionally, cataract surgery techniques and technologies continue
to evolve and advance, benefitting more patients than ever before.
As eye care professionals, it is up to us to educate our patients
on treatment options for cataracts, and that includes easing their
fears by providing educational resources in channels where they're
seeking out medical information - on social media and our practice
websites," said Eric Donnenfeld, MD,
Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, New York
University****.
Johnson & Johnson Vision encourages everyone to
Prioritize Your Eyes by educating yourself to make more
informed decisions around your, or your loved ones, care and to
understand options leading up to and following surgery. Through the
Prioritize Your Eyes campaign, Johnson & Johnson Vision
is providing resources to educate people about the benefits and
safety of treating cataracts so patient can make more informed
decisions. Additionally, more information and tools for patients
and caregivers can be found at BeyondCataracts.com, including
treatment information, an eye care professional locator and an
interactive tool to help choose a lens that's best for each
individual.
About Cataracts
More than 90% of people develop cataracts—the clouding and
yellowing of the lens in the eye—by the age of
655. While part of the normal aging of the eye,
left untreated, cataracts cause vision to deteriorate over time. In
fact, cataracts are the leading cause of preventable blindness
worldwide, impacting more than 100 million
eyes6. Cataract surgery is one of the most common
outpatient procedures performed today and has a success rate of
approximately 98%7. Today, cataract treatments can
also offer patients vision correction, reducing or eliminating the
need for glasses, in addition to removing the
cataract.8,9
Risk Information
While complications are rare, there are risks to routine
cataract surgery. This is irrelevant to the lens you choose.
The problems could be minor, temporary, or affect your vision
permanently. These may include worsening of your vision, bleeding,
or infection. Pre-existing diseases or conditions (e.g., diabetes,
heart disease, and previous eye trauma) may place you at higher
risk of experiencing complications and/or more difficult recovery
after routine cataract surgery. With some lenses, you may
experience some loss in the sharpness of your vision, even with
glasses. A small number of patients may want to have their IOL
removed. This can be due to lens-related optical/visual symptoms.
You should discuss all risks and benefits with your eye doctor
before surgery.
About Johnson & Johnson Vision*
At Johnson &
Johnson Vision, part of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices
Companies**, we have a bold ambition: to change the trajectory of
eye health worldwide. Through our operating companies, we deliver
innovation that enables eye care professionals to create better
outcomes for patients throughout their lives, with products and
technologies that address unmet needs including refractive error,
cataracts, and dry eye. In communities with the greatest need, we
work in collaboration to expand access to quality eye care, and we
are committed to helping people see better, connect better, live
better. Visit us at jjvision.com, follow @JNJVision on Twitter,
Johnson & Johnson Vision on LinkedIn, and @JNJVision on
Facebook.
About Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices
Companies*****
At Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices
Companies, we are helping people live their best lives. Building on
more than a century of expertise, we tackle pressing healthcare
challenges, and take bold steps that lead to new standards of care
while improving people's healthcare experiences. In surgery,
orthopaedics, vision, and interventional solutions, we are helping
to save lives and paving the way to a healthier future for
everyone, everywhere.
*Johnson & Johnson Vision represents the products and
services of Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc., Johnson
& Johnson Vision Care, Inc., and the affiliates of both.
**The survey was conducted online in August 2020 by TRUE Global Intelligence—the
in-house research practice of FleishmanHillard—among more than
6,000 adults 18 years of age or older across the United States, Japan, China,
Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
***Dr. Rajesh K. Rajpal is an
employee of Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc., serving as
Head of Clinical and Medical Affairs across both the Surgical
Vision and Vision Care organizations.
****Dr. Eric Donnenfeld is a paid
consultant of Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc. and
serves as Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at New York University
*****The Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies
comprise the surgery, orthopaedics, vision, and interventional
solutions businesses within Johnson & Johnson's Medical Devices
segment.
© Johnson & Johnson Vision, 2020. All rights
reserved.
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1 World Health Organization -
Priority Eye Diseases. REF 2016 OTH 0004.
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2 University of Michigan Kellogg Eye
Center website.
http://www.kellogg.umich.edu/patientcare/conditions/cataract.html.
Accessed October 28, 2017. REF 2016 OTH 0327.
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3 Vision Health Initiative, Common
Eye Disorders. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basics/ced/index.html
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4 Johnson & Johnson Vision
internal presentation - Patient Media Habits Report. December
2019.
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5 Kellogg Eye Center. Cataract.
https://www.umkelloggeye.org/conditions-treatments/cataract
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6 World Health Organization.
Blindness and Impairment.
https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment
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7 Vision Health Initiative, Common
Eye Disorders. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basics/ced/index.html
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8 All
About Vision. Will I Need Glasses After Cataract Surgery?
https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/faq-cataract-glasses-after-surgery.htm
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9 Khandelwal SS, et. al.
Effectiveness of multifocal and monofocal intraocular lenses for
cataract surgery and lens replacement: a systematic review and
meta-analysis. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2019
May;257(5):863-875. doi: 10.1007/s00417-018-04218-6.
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SOURCE Johnson & Johnson