Most Americans have poor understanding of presbyopia, survey finds

SAN DIEGO — A recent Harris Interactive survey found that most Americans are "not at all knowledgeable" about presbyopia. Even most cataract patients who had already received IOLs to correct presbyopia had little knowledge of the condition, the survey found.

Samuel Masket

The survey polled a general population of 500 adults between the ages of 45 and 65 years as well as 250 cataract patients who had already received presbyopia-correcting IOLs. The findings were presented by Samuel Masket, MD, in a press conference at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting here.

According to the survey, 79% of the general population and 56% of the IOL group "were not at all knowledgeable" about presbyopia. Only 9% of the general population and 10% of the IOL group were able to define presbyopia correctly, the survey found.

The general population was mostly unfamiliar with IOLs and was more likely to think that prescription glasses would be most effective for managing presbyopia. However, 66% were at least "somewhat willing" to get an IOL if the procedure were approved by the Food and Drug Administration, according to the survey.

The patients who had received presbyopia-correcting IOLs were largely satisfied. Dr. Masket noted that 84% said they would strongly recommend vision correction surgery to their friends.

While the survey has revealed a significant lack of knowledge among the general public and patients, Dr. Masket said, it also points to an important opportunity.

He noted that the survey is the first part of a three-pronged, industry-sponsored program to increase patient awareness. The second part will come in the form of a patient-focused educational Web site, www.readclearlyagain.org, which will launch shortly. For the third part, ASCRS is currently in the process of creating an effective, easily understandable brand name for presbyopia-correcting lens exchange surgery, Dr. Masket said.