Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Health Watch, we’re talking about saving and improving our vision. New technology has made it possible to both save and improve vision, and new federal regulations are making that affordable for more senior adults.
People who have both astigmatism and cataracts may benefit from new implantable lenses that treat both conditions. Cataracts, which cause cloudy vision, are common with age. They can be treated with lens implants. Astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea and causes vision problems. It’s usually corrected with glasses. Dr. James McCulley, chairman of ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says there are new lens implants that treat cataracts while also correcting astigmatism. Under the new rules, Medicare will cover the cost of the cataract surgery and part of the cost of the lens, with the patient paying for the vision correction part of the procedure.
###
April 2007
Health Watch is heard Monday through Friday nationwide on ABC Satellite Radio. Call your local radio station and ask if they carry the program.
