The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is correct in stating that thresholds for cataract surgery have lowered.
The excellent outcomes and improvements in function offered by modern cataract surgery means that today's patients are less willing to tolerate worsening visual disability when such a cost-effective and safe sight-restoring procedure is available.
Most studies examining the issue of "inappropriate" surgery estimate the rate of surgery that should not have been performed to be about 2 per cent. Province-wide reductions in funding for cataract surgery are a concerning trend.
Cataract surgery provides a great return on investment to the health-care system, as it reduces the likelihood of hip fractures by 80 per cent and the incidence of depression by 75 per cent in addition to the visual benefits and restored independence it offers patients.
A U.S. study estimated that for every $1 spent on cataract surgery, about $30 are saved in avoided expenses in other areas of health care.
Cataract surgery is being done earlier because it is safer than ever and it helps patients; patients know this from talking to their friends and family who have had the surgery and are now enjoying the many benefits of improved vision.
Closing cataract surgery programs will increase wait lists, and as we have seen from research, these wait lists of vision impaired patients produce increased spending required for the management of other expensive problems experienced in higher numbers by patients with poor vision, like hip fractures and depression.
The Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario sincerely hope that our patients will continue to have timely access to the benefits offered by cataract surgery and other eye surgeries.
It's good for patients, and it makes good sense economically as well.
Tim Hillson MD Tariff Chair Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
