Healthy vision enables patients to connect socially, perform daily tasks and maintain independence. When eyesight becomes blurred, faded or unclear, individuals may withdraw from previously routine activities, such as reading, driving or family time.
Vision impairment can contribute to reduced confidence, increased isolation and diminished quality of life. By preserving sight, we help patients stay engaged, autonomous and emotionally well.
Study Finds Visually Impaired Older Adults Stop Driving
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Transport & Health, 14 percent of Americans aged 65 and older experience either distance vision loss or reduced contrast sensitivity.
Researchers found that more than 25 percent of older drivers who are visually impaired stop driving within a year.
Cataracts or other eye-related issues can be the culprit for vision impairment or vision loss. Annual comprehensive eye exams help ophthalmologists diagnose any issues and determine the best treatment for a patient’s vision.
“Everyone gets cataracts eventually,” said AMSURG Ophthalmology Physician Advisory Board member Shawn R. Klein, M.D. “Many times, they’ll start off as not being that visually significant. Over a couple of years, the vision will continue to degrade, and eventually, patients will come in complaining of blurred vision. And many times, there’s nighttime symptoms such as glare or halos, especially driving the car.”
Patients who received high-quality, life-changing cataract surgery at two AMSURG ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) describe how their quality of life improved:
- Henderson County, Kentucky, judge-executive Brad Schneider noticed driving home from work at night became challenging because of cataracts.“The glare bouncing back off streetlights or high headlights was really a problem,” he said.Following cataract surgery on both eyes at the EyeCare Consultants Surgery Center in Evansville, Indiana, Schneider said his vision is the best it has been in adulthood — even driving at night.
“The improvement in my vision is really tremendous,” he said.
- Retired angler Bruce Barkhorn knew cataract surgery was the best option when his vision made driving from his inland home to his boat on the New Jersey shore difficult, especially at night.“[My vision] was out of focus a lot, and it got pretty bad the last year and a half,” he said. “My boat is about 30 miles away from where I live. I’d get on a parkway, and it was a little disconcerting driving. So, I knew I needed surgery sooner [rather] than later.”After his successful cataract surgery at River Drive Surgery & Laser Center in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, Barkhorn now drives confidently day and night.
“I get up in the morning [and] I don’t have to reach for my glasses anymore. That’s all gone now,” he said.
Partner With AMSURG
AMSURG surgery centers provide world-class care for patients daily. AMSURG has a network of more than 3,500 affiliated physicians in 20+ specialties across 250+ facilities across the country. We perform more than 250,000 ophthalmology procedures annually.
AMSURG invests in the growth and development of physician partners. We enable independent physicians to realize their personal and professional goals through innovative management, clinical support and strategic services.
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About AMSURG
AMSURG is an independent leader in ambulatory surgery center services, operating a network of more than 250 surgery centers nationwide. In partnership with physicians and health systems, the organization delivers high-quality patient care across a diverse spectrum of medical specialties, including gastroenterology, ophthalmology and orthopedics. Guided by its core values — Care Deeply, Champion Excellence, Cultivate Integrity and Celebrate Teamwork — AMSURG is committed to transforming the future of ambulatory surgery center care and services with a focus on strategic growth and innovation. To learn more about AMSURG, visit www.amsurg.com.