Lecture focuses on megatrends that will drive cataract surgery

ROME — An increasing demand for quality and performance, technological advances leading to automated surgery, a declining work force in ophthalmology — these are the megatrends that will drive the future of cataract surgery in the next 2 decades, according to a lecturer here.

"Graying baby boomers will double the 65+ population by 2030 as compared to 2000. Health care utilization by that particular group is likely to be very high. Expectations will be very high too, as many will be prepared to pay out of their own pocket for premium results," Samuel Masket, MD, said as he gave the 2010 Benedetto Strampelli Medal Lecture at the annual joint meeting of Ocular Surgery News and the Italian Society of Ophthalmology.

Femtosecond laser technology is making giant steps and is likely to take over in cataract surgery, allowing for automated procedures with respect to the nucleus, the capsule and the incision.

"Advantages will be increased safety, reproducibility and accuracy," Dr. Masket said.

As far as IOLs are concerned, "it is very clear that the future holds truly accommodative lenses in addition to the pseudoaccommodative lenses that we have today," he noted.

But who will be doing this surgery? Ophthalmologists are "a declining work force" in the West, and there is concern that they may not be able to maintain patient care and will lose ground to technicians, he said.

Finally, Dr. Masket said that the increasing quality and cost of advanced surgery will naturally lead to a two-tier health care system.

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