Cataract operations in Vienna: A look at the increase in interventions

Cataract operations in Vienna: A look at the increase in interventions

The so -called "gray star", also known as cataract, is a widespread eye disease that affects people from a certain age. In Austria, almost 90 percent of the over 65-year-olds are affected by this disease, which causes the lens to cloud and thus gradually reduces eyesight. Cataract operations are required to remedy these visual impairments. In recent years, the method for treating this disease has improved significantly, which means that the interventions are considered to be low -risk.

In the Vienna Order Pitals, the numbers of the eye operations carried out are particularly remarkable. In 2023, the two Francis hospitals, who belong to the Franciskus Group together with the Clinic Landstrasse, recorded impressive 4,450 day-clinical cataract operations. These numbers reflect a clear increase in interventions over the years. In 2020 the number of operations was 3,883, followed by 3,685 in 2021, 3,956 in 2022 and increasing to 4,450 this year.

an increase in interventions

The increase in eye operations in the Vienna Order Pitals is not accidental. The increasing number of older people, especially the "baby boomer" generation, leads to a higher need for this necessary interventions. According to a spokeswoman for the Francis facilities, the demand for eye operations will continue to increase in the coming years.

Most patients who undergo these interventions belong to the age group from mid-50. However, these are not only cataract operations. The vast majority of 88 percent of the interventions are ordinary cataract operations. The remaining interventions are lid corrections or treatments of visual field restrictions.

The reasons for the development of a cataract are diverse. The best-known risk factors include UV radiation, diabetes mellitus, eye infections, genetic predispositions and age. This disease is usually progressive and often leads to the fact that those affected are increasingly dependent on treatment.

The Viennese religious hospitals are an important point of contact for such medical interventions due to their specialization. Due to the annual high increase in eye operations, they show how important it is to treat age diseases in good time and thus improve the quality of life of the patients.

For further information on the developments in the Viennese religious and the operations carried out, you can do the article by www.meinbezirk.at consult.