Cataract Surgeries on the Rise as Boomers Age, Raising Access, Cost Issues

3,434 views · Published 9 October 2013 · 3:00 · Indexed 31 October 2026

Channel: Mayo Clinic · 2013 · Science & Technology

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As baby boomers enter their retirement years, health care costs for complex and debilitating conditions such as Alzheimer's disease are expected to soar. Not drawing as much attention is the likelihood of similarly rising expenses for common age-related medical procedures. A Mayo Clinic study looked at one of those — cataract surgery— and found that more people are getting the vision-improving procedure, seeking it at younger ages and having both eyes repaired within a few months, rather than only treating one eye. The demand shows no sign of leveling off, raising the need to manage costs and ensure access to appropriate cataract treatment.  Dr. Jay Erie is the study's senior author.

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