The Most Common Surgery
3 days ago
- #medical-history
- #ophthalmology
- #global-health
- Cataract surgery is the most common surgery globally, with over 20 million operations annually.
- The procedure has evolved from ancient 'couching' techniques to modern 20-minute surgeries with a 95% success rate.
- Harold Ridley pioneered intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in 1949, revolutionizing post-surgery vision restoration.
- Phacoemulsification, introduced by Charles Kelman in the 1960s, made cataract surgery less invasive and more efficient.
- Despite advancements, access to cataract surgery remains unequal, with low-income countries facing significant barriers.
- Aravind Eye Hospital in India exemplifies a successful model for expanding access through cost reduction and community outreach.
- Disparities in cataract surgery access highlight broader issues of healthcare inequity and economic impact.