Cataract Surgery Is Worth The Money, Doctors Say
By Lynne Adkins
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A local ophthalmologist has put a dollar value on cataract surgery and it's a good deal.
A typical cataract surgery costs about $2,600, but the value over the years after surgery is huge -- estimated at more than $121,000 -- according to Dr. Melissa Brown, an ophthalmologist at Wills Eye Hospital.
She says restoring eye sight reduces depression and increases independence.
"If we have someone who now couldn't drive, didn't do very well taking care of themselves, had trouble managing their home and now bring them to good vision, the caregiver costs are greatly decreased, and we're also able to keep our jobs."
She says cataracts affect more than 24-million Americans and the surgery is the most common eye procedure performed.
