[Cataracts - trend and new developments]

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness or severe visual handicap worldwide (20 Million people). The majority of cataracts are age-dependent. The only known treatment so far is surgery, which therefore has become the most frequent performed surgery in all industrialized countries. Indication for cataract surgery is when the vision falls below patients requirements. Today's surgical technique is phacoemulsification of the nucleus and implantation of a foldable intraocular lens via a small (< 3 mm) self-sealing incision. The majority of patients undergoes the surgery under topical anaesthesia and as outpatient procedure. Major complication are rare (< 1 %), may however lead to permanent visual disability (< 1 per thousand). New developments are nowadays mainly in the design and additional features of the artificial lens i.e. blueblocker, multifocal and toric lenses.