Fivefold increase in Cataract cases among elders in Chennai: Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital's study

There has been over a fivefold increase in the number of cataract cases in  Chennai city, especially in the age group of 50-70 years, during the past one year said Dr Srinivasan G Rao, Senior Ophthalmologist & Regional Head – Clinical Services, Dr Agarwal Eye Hospital,

Addressing a press conference organised as part of observance of cataract awareness month, in June, Dr Srinivasan said to  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."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.About 40-60% of blindness in India is caused by 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.