Cataracts Xplained – Cataracts Xplained

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Cataracts Xplained

Did you know 90% of people over 65 have a cataract?*

Watch Elaine’s story to learn about how cataracts are diagnosed and treated.

Watch now

Meet Elaine

Hi, I'm Elaine and I'm 67 years old. A few years ago I noticed simple daily activities such as reading and driving were becoming difficult due to a decline in my eyesight. I went to see my eye care professional who ran some simple tests and suggested I book in for cataract surgery. At first I was a little apprehensive about having eye surgery, but after going through it and seeing how uncomplicated and painless it is, I'm so glad I did it. I'm now able to get back to doing the things I love!

My eye care professional told me it is very common for people over the age of 65 to have cataracts. So if you or a loved one might be experiencing eyesight problems, please go and see an eye care professional. If you would like to learn more about my story and what's involved with cataract surgery, please watch this video.

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Question Guide for Your Next Appointment

Sometimes it can be tricky to remember everything you want to ask when you see your eye care professional. We've put together a question guide which may help you start the conversation at your next appointment.

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Want to find out more about cataracts and how they can be treated?
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Meet the Xperts

View the team of xperts who have been involved in the development of Cataracts Xplained.

Photo of Associate Professor Chandra Bala

Associate Professor Chandra Bala

Ophthalmologist

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Photo of Dr Con Moshegov

Dr Con Moshegov

Ophthalmologist

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Photo of Dr Isabel McLean

Dr Isabel McLean

Ophthalmologist

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Photo of Dr Mark Koszek

Dr Mark Koszek

Optometrist

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Produced in Partnership with Optometry Australia

Optometry Australia is the peak professional body for optometrists. Representing eight out of every 10 Australian-based optometrists, Optometry Australia’s focus is to lead and advance the profession of optometry by putting eye health front and centre of Australian health care.

 optometry.org.au

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About Medicine X

Medicine X Story

Working as a medical doctor, Medicine X founder, Kim Chilman-Blair realised that far too many people are confused about their diagnoses, their conditions, and their treatments. The language that doctors use, and what everyday people understand can be two totally different things.

Here at Medicine X, we believe that everyone should feel informed and empowered so they can engage with their doctors and be involved in making medical decisions. That’s why Medicine X isn’t just another boring and complicated fact sheet – we explain medical issues through stories based on real people. It’s relatable, simple, and gives you the information you need.

We hope this helps you on your journey!

 

Dedicated Team

The Medicine X team is made up of doctors, artists and creative writers that all work to make sure the information is easy to understand, both in content and visuals.

*Statistic reference: umkelloggeye.org/conditions-treatments/cataract

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Associate Professor Chandra Bala

Ophthalmologist

Associate Professor Chandra Bala is the Managing Director at personalEYES and he subspecialises in Cataract, Cornea and Refractive surgery. He is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, an examiner in the RANZCO Ophthalmology specialist training program and a clinical supervisor of medical, optometry and vision science students.

He specialises in translational research. His work has been published in both national and international peer-reviewed journals and he has won numerous awards at international conferences, including Best Paper at ASCRS Boston 2014, Best Video at ASCRS San Diego 2019 and APACRS Kyoto 2019 and winner of the Michael Bluementhal Award at ESCRS Paris 2019. His patents have been successfully commercialised and licensed (Barron Bala DMEK punch, Katena).

He graduated from the University of Sydney with class 1 Honours and completed an additional year of research where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science (Med) with class 1 Honours. He then went on to complete ophthalmic training at the Sydney Eye Hospital and Westmead Hospital and has a PhD in ophthalmology.

Associate Professor Bala has completed multiple fellowships under leading surgeons in Australia and throughout Europe, including a cornea fellowship with Dr Gerrit Melles (Holland) and a refractive fellowship with Dr Ioannis Aslanides (Greece).

Dr Con Moshegov

Ophthalmologist

“Vision correction treatment is one of the most satisfying procedures a surgeon can perform, as it offers my patients the gift of sight! It is the procedure I perform most often and am grateful for the honour of being able to do so every surgical list.”

Dr. Con Moshegov is the director and principal surgeon at both George Street Eye Centre and Hornsby Laser Eye Centre. He is among Australia’s most highly respected and trusted experts in the field of Cataract and Refractive surgery, with over 25 years of experience. A graduate of the medical faculty of the University of Sydney, Dr Moshegov underwent his specialist training at the Sydney Eye Hospital. Upon completion of his specialist training in Australia, he embarked on advanced fellowship training in corneal, cataract and refractive surgery in the United Kingdom To date he has performed well over 40,000 procedures. He is one of the only a handful of surgeons in Australia to specialise in vision correction treatments. Dr. Moshegov is also one of the preferred medical practitioners for the Australia Defence Force and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. He has been a VMO and Head of Department at Concord Hospital, an examiner of ophthalmic trainees and a consultant refractive surgeon for a number of large Laser Vision Correction Centres. Dr Moshegov’s other appointments include:

  • Senior Lecturer at the University of Technology, Sydney
  • Chairman, Clinical Ophthalmic Advisory Group to the Federal Department of Health
  • Designated Aviation Medical Examiner CASA
  • Committee Member of NSW Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO)
  • Member of Medicolegal Advisory Group of RANZCO

Dr Isabel McLean

Ophthalmologist

Dr Isabel McLean, of the Bundaberg Eye Clinic, is a comprehensive ophthalmologist with a busy practice.
She was originally a GP for 10 years before training as an ophthalmologist at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. Dr McLean has a special interest in cataract surgery and the individual outcomes of surgery. She has been involved in overseas cataract surgery projects in Myanmar and teaching cataract surgery in Nepal. Locally, Dr McLean is involved with Indigenous diabetic eye health and teaching medical students.

Dr Mark Koszek

Optometrist

Dr Mark Koszek graduated from the University of New South Wales in 1996, completed his Master of Optometry in 2002 and his Graduate Certificate of Ocular Therapeutics in 2012. Dr Koszek is a founding partner and the Professional Education Officer of EyeQ Optometrists, who have a network of 42 practices Australia-wide. Dr Koszek has lectured extensively throughout Australia, New Zealand and Asia on contact lenses, dry eye and ocular diseases. Dr Koszek has a special interest in orthokeratology, mini-scleral contact lenses, dry eye, ocular diseases and behavioural optometry.
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