On the initiative of the Institute for Patients' Rights and Health Education, as part of the 'Better Sight, Better Life' campaign, an exhibition presenting the stories of people who have undergone cataract surgery was created. It will be on display from 23-28 November in the Main Hall of Warsaw's Central Railway Station. Research carried out for the 'Better Sight, Better Life' campaign, which aims to raise awareness of cataracts and their treatment, found that as many as 38% of patients with the disease were unable to perform simple daily activities and one in four had become more dependent on others[1]. What is life like for cataract patients before and after surgery? [1] Survey as part of the 'Better Sight, Better Life' campaign. Data from Alcon's own research. January 2017.
who are over the age of 55 and is a natural consequence of the body's ageing process. As the years go by, the lens of the eye loses its clarity and the haze that appears acts as a barrier to light entering the retina. Cataracts develop at an uneven rate - for some, vision deteriorates significantly within a few months, while others only experience clear discomfort after several years.
The first symptoms of the disease, such as blurred vision, lack of sharpness, the effect of seeing through dirty glass and eye fatigue and tearing, can be confused with other ailments, and some patients blame their age as the cause. Good vision when cataracts occur cannot be restored by changing to stronger spectacle lenses. The only treatment is surgery. This is one of the most spectacular and at the same time safest medical procedures - after 15-30 minutes, a person who has had difficulty performing the simplest of tasks returns to normal functioning.
During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens of the eye is removed and an artificial intraocular lens, selected to suit the patient's needs, is implanted. The monofocal lenses, which are used as part of the procedure reimbursed by the National Health Fund, allow good distance vision. After the operation, patients need glasses to see well to near and intermediate distances.
The latest generation of lenses - multifocal and toric - allow for the correction of hyperopia, myopia and at the same time presbyopia and astigmatism, enabling people after cataract surgery to function without any glasses. However, such lenses are only available as a paid procedure.
