“There has been over a fivefold increase in the number of cataract cases in the city, especially in the age group of 50-70 years, during the past one year. For every 100 outpatients who visit private hospitals, anywhere from 40-60 are diagnosed with cataract conditions, most of them being end-stage cataracts – this number used to be just 10 per 100 outpatients on average during the pre-Covid years,” said Dr Srinivasan G Rao, senior ophthalmologist & regional head – clinical services, Dr Agarwal Eye Hospital.
Addressing a press conference, organised in the wake of Cataract Awareness Month,
June, Srinivasan said, “ During the Covid years, the elderly population, who were
more vulnerable to the Covid infection, avoided visiting eye hospitals. The hospitals –
including the government-run ones, were either closed or converted into Covid
treatment centres. This resulted in the postponement of eye tests and surgeries. Covid also saw an increase in people with uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, blood
pressure, and other chronic health conditions, which are the main risk factors for cataract. These developments explain the alarming increase in the cases of cataract.”
Emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and treatment Dr Srinivasan urged people
above 40 years to opt for eye tests to check intraocular pressure, and those who are
over 50 years to screen their eyes for cataract every year.