ASCRS Harris Interactive Survey Results
April 27, 2007 - There is increasing interest among the people in the 45 + age (baby-boomers) group to find ways to manage presbyopia. As a first step in addressing this concern the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Foundation (ASCRS) tasked itself with obtaining a better understanding of what these patients already know about Presbyopia, the different treatment options that are available, and what types of treatment options they are open to pursuing. To help ASCRS members understand their patients needs, ASCRS worked with Harris Interactive to conduct a survey polling 500 adults between the ages of 45 and 65 (general population) and 250 patients who have undergone surgical treatment options to correct their condition (ASCRS patients).

The following highlights key survey findings as they relate to Presbyopia: what it is (awareness), impact on quality of life and attitudes about treatment options.


Awareness
While a similar number of adults in both the general population (aged 45 to 64) sample and the ASCRS patient sample have experienced presbyopia, most adults in both samples are not at all knowledgeable about Presbyopia, nor do they know how to describe it or what causes it.
  • 62% of the general population and 70% of the ASCRS sample have experienced presbyopia.
  • 79% of the general population and 56% of the ASCRS sample are not at all knowledgeable about presbyopia.
  • 9% of the general population and 10% of the ASCRS sample describe presbyopia as “beginning at middle age, the need to use reading glasses to read or focus at distances.” 50% of the general population and 48% of the ASCRS sample are not sure of the correct definition.
  • 22% of the general population and 23% of the ASCRS sample say that age alone causes presbyopia.
  • 61% of the general population and 60% of the ASCRS sample have at some point discussed with their eye doctor how vision changes with age.
  • 48% of the general population and 74% of the ASCRS sample say they know a great deal or some about cataract surgery.
Many in the general population (aged 45 to 64) sample say they also do not know much at all about intraocular lenses. Following from this, in terms of managing presbyopia, the general population thinks prescription glasses would be most effective while nearly one third are unsure how effective an intraocular lens would be. The ASCRS patient sample, in contrast, is less likely to think that presbyopia can be effectively managed with prescription glasses while being much more convinced of the effectiveness of intraocular lenses.
  • 58% of the general population knows not much at all about a “bifocal lens permanently implanted onto the eye”.
  • 70% of the general population thinks that “prescription glasses or bi-focal lenses” would be very effective or effective in managing presbyopia. 33% say the same about a “ bifocal lens permanently implanted onto the eye”, with 31% being unsure of its effectiveness.


Impact on Quality of Life
A majority of the general population has difficulty with tasks that require them to focus on objects close to them and more than – wear reading glasses now or did so in the past. Both of which significantly affect their lives.
  • 43% of the general population currently have a great deal of difficulty with “reading ordinary print in newspapers or magazines without glasses;” 39% have a great deal of difficulty with “reading a menu at a restaurant without glasses;” 34% have a great deal of difficulty with “doing work or hobbies’”
  • 77% of the general population wears glasses now or did so in the past.
  • 81% of the general population says focusing on objects close has/would have some impact on their lives (38% say major impact).
For the ASCRS patient sample, prior to surgery a majority of the patients had the same kinds of difficulties with vision as the general population, and most think that not being able to focus on objects close had some impact on their overall quality of life. Not surprisingly, then, a majority believes their surgery has had a major positive impact on their quality of life.
  • Prior to surgery, 70% of the ASCRS patient sample had a great deal of difficulty “reading ordinary print in newspapers or magazines without glasses;” 57% had a great deal of difficulty with “reading a menu at a restaurant without glasses;” 55% had a great deal of difficulty with “driving without glasses;” 50% had a great deal of difficulty with “doing work or hobbies’”
  • After surgery, 49% of the ASCRS sample have no difficulty “reading ordinary print in newspapers or magazines without glasses;” 51% have no difficulty with “reading a menu at a restaurant without glasses;” 71% have no difficulty with “driving without glasses;” 51% have no difficulty with “doing work or hobbies’”
  • 81% of the ASCRS sample says being able to focus on objects close had some impact on their lives (42% say major impact).
  • 64% of the ASCRS sample says that vision correction surgery/cataract surgery had a major positive impact on their lives.


Thoughts on Treatment Options
While most general population adults haven’t had vision correction surgery, a good number would consider having an intraocular lens if it was an FDA approved procedure. Barriers to having vision correction surgery include costs and safety issues, but many say they don’t know enough about the procedure.
  • 66% of the general population is at least somewhat willing to get an artificial lens if the procedure was FDA approved.
  • Obstacles to having vision correction surgery include: “you don’t know enough about the procedure" (55%); "you are comfortable wearing reading glasses to improve your vision" (54%); "it’s too costly” (51%); “you are worried about potential complications” (51%).
  • 25% of the general population has at some point discussed vision correction surgery with their eye doctor (compared to 63% of the ASCRS sample).
The ASCRS patient sample, on the other hand, underwent vision correction surgery primarily because it became hard to see things well and because they thought it would bring them more freedom, which – according to them – it did. Most would recommend the surgery and, in fact, a majority said it changed their life. The benefits of surgery were numerous, including: improved vision, not having to wear glasses, and being more self-confident.
  • Reasons for undergoing having vision correction surgery include: “it became to hard to see things well” (74%); “you thought it would give you more freedom” (59%).
  • 72% of the ASCRS sample says vision correction surgery “gave you the freedom to live your life the way that you want.” 84% strongly agree that they “would recommend it to others.” 59% strongly agree that it “changed your life.” 82% strongly disagree that “recovery from it was difficult.”
  • Benefits of surgery for the ASCRS sample included: more comfort driving (72%); being more active (62%); more self-confidence (65%); more active social life (42%); more fulfilling career or work life (46%).
Harris Poll Survey on Vision
The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery recently completed a Harris Interactive Survey of the general population, aged 45 + and patients who have had vision correction surgery to manage presbyopia. See how their experiences match yours. >>