Technological advances in intraocular lens surgery

Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the world, with an estimated 19 million operations performed annually. According to estimates from the World Health Organization, this number will increase to 32 million by the year 2020 as the over-65 population doubles worldwide. In England and Wales approximately 160,000 cataract procedures are performed each year, with an annual increase of about 7%. There is an estimated cataract backlog of 2.4 million people with visual impairment due to cataract with 1.1 million new cases expected over five years.

Cataract surgery now accounts for more than half the ophthalmic procedures in some areas, and in several countries it is the most common elective surgery. In recent years, corneal refractive procedures have attracted increased public interest as the pursuit of uncorrected vision of 6/6 or better is on the rise. This may translate to an even greater demand for cataract and natural lens replacement in developed countries.