“What
does cataract surgery have to do with preventing hip fractures?” asked Roslyn
Stahl, M.D. a Cataract
Surgeon at The Eye Care & Surgery Center. “What we know from recent studies is that cataract surgery
may offer patients with cataracts a distinct advantage in preventing hip
fractures according to a report published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association,” said Dr. Stahl.
When
looking at the risk of hip fracture among more than 1 million people on
Medicare aged 65 with cataracts, researchers found people who had cataract
surgery had a 16% lower risk of hip fracture one year after the procedure. Visual
impairment from cataracts-whether from blurry vision, glare, halos or decreased
contrast-is a known risk factor for falls. Thus when we improve vision for
patients with cataracts, their mobility is typically improved as well as their
confidence and the safety with which they navigate. A hip or pelvis fracture is
the sentinel event that leads to a progressive decline in quality of life and
usually signifies increased mortality and morbidity. Accidental falls and
the resulting bone fractures are a major cause of disability and death among
the elderly. “The key here is that there is a demonstrated need for timely
cataract surgery for seniors in order to manage the risk of challenged mobility
with resulting fractures. We are quite fortunate-and it is really rewarding-to
be able to provide cataract patients with modern patient friendly cataract
surgery on an outpatient basis that utilizes tiny incisions, eye drops for anesthesia
and a quick visual recovery,” summarized Dr. Stahl.
If
you or someone you know has questions about cataract, cataract surgery,
lens implants or hip fracture prevention please feel free to call The
Eye Care & Surgery Center at 908-789-8999, visit The Eye Care & Surgery Center or
facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter.
The Eye Care & Surgery Center is a leading New Jersey eye care practice with offices at 592 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey 07090, 10 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, New Jersey 07059 and 517 Route One South, Suite 1100, Iselin, New Jersey 08830
.
