Almost three-quarters of surveyed Australians who had undergone cataract surgery said their doctor chose their intraocular lens without presenting them with options.
The finding has prompted calls for improved patient education and more consistent conversations about lens choice before cataract surgery.
Alcon commissioned nationally representative research of 1,011 Australians aged 50 and older. The research, conducted by Ipsos Australia, underpins a new Alcon white paper, Cataract Solutions and Consumer Awareness: Optimising Cataract Outcomes in Australia.1
The white paper recommends a public information campaign targeting older Australians, a consumer question-and-answer resource for preoperative consultations, and further research into the information ophthalmologists provide to patients.
“Going beyond patient feedback, there is merit in a parallel survey of ophthalmologists, to understand the questions patients are asking, and the information being given.
“There is an apparent need to better educate Australians in general on the risks, conditions, and treatments around healthy vision.”
It also calls for investigation into disparities in cataract care for First Nations Australians, including longer waiting times and lower surgical coverage.
There is an apparent need to better educate Australians in general on the risks, conditions, and treatments around healthy vision
Passive Public Participation
More than 250,000 cataract surgeries are performed in Australia each year.1
But, according to the Alcon-sponsored research, 72% of respondents who had undergone cataract surgery said their doctor chose the type of lens for surgery and had not provided them with options.
Additionally, 58% of respondents were unsure about the type of lenses that were implanted during their surgery, which the white paper described as “further evidence of passive patient participation”.
Of the cataract surgery patients surveyed, 77% said their recovery and overall outcome were better than expected. The most commonly reported improvements were greater ease when viewing screens, reduced reliance on glasses or contact lenses in daily life, and improved vision while driving.
In a discussion within the paper, Professor Andrew Chang AM said patients’ satisfaction after cataract surgery depended not only on the surgical result, but also on whether they felt informed and involved in decisions such as lens selection.
The white paper, he said, “draws attention” to the education gap and “highlights the need for clearer, more consistent conversations about cataract surgery, beginning well before the day of the procedure”.
“Understanding the visual outcomes associated with different lens options empowers patients to choose what best suits their lifestyle,” Prof Chang said.
“I strongly support informed patient choice – effective education is essential. When patients clearly understand their options, they not only make better decisions, but they experience greater long-term satisfaction with their vision.”
The First Nations Gap
The white paper identifies a particular cataract gap for Indigenous Australians. For the over-50 population generally, incidence of visually significant cataract sits at 2.7%, but increases further to 4.3% for Indigenous Australians.
While the median wait time for surgery is 118 days, that rises to 159 days for Indigenous patients.
As well, “First Nations Australians have a surgical coverage rate of 93% compared to 99% for non-First Nations Australians,” the white paper reveals.
“Given the observed gaps in waiting times and surgical coverage for First Nations Australians, as well as the likelihood of greater reliance on public healthcare, further investigation is warranted into how we might close the gap for cataracts,” the white paper concludes.
Modern cataract surgery offers more vision correction options than ever before, yet many patients are not aware of the choices available to them.
Public Understanding of Cataracts
The survey also identified broader gaps in cataract knowledge. Only 24% of respondents understood there was more than one type of cataract surgery or procedure, while 35% believed cataracts were an unavoidable part of ageing that could not be helped.
Just 19% strongly agreed that they understood the different roles of optometrists and ophthalmologists.
Prof Chang said optometrists, ophthalmologists, and industry shared responsibility for improving public understanding.
“Optometrists are usually the first contact for patients once their eyesight has started to deteriorate, and ophthalmologists then support and guide them through corrective treatment, so collaboration between both eye care professions is essential and synergistic,” he said.
“When we work together to improve public literacy education about cataracts by sharing clear, consistent messages about eye health and treatment options, we not only reduce fear, uncertainty, and delay, but we also ensure patients arrive at surgery well prepared and with realistic expectations.”
Associate Professor Smita Agarwal, Head of Ophthalmology at the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and Medical Director of Wollongong Eye Specialists, said education helped patients select outcomes suited to their lives.
“Patient education and understanding empower people to choose vision outcomes that suit their lifestyle – when patients understand options and trade-offs, they make decisions that best match their daily needs and goals,” Assoc Prof Agarwal said.
“Modern cataract surgery offers more vision correction options than ever before, yet many patients are not aware of the choices available to them. Improving patient education is key to supporting informed decision making and helping patients choose options that best suit their lifestyle and visual goals.”
Vision 2020 Australia Chief Executive Officer Carly Iles said limited information could prevent patients from participating meaningfully in decisions about their care.
“While cataract surgery is highly effective, awareness of the range of intraocular lens options and their differing visual outcomes remains limited,” Ms Iles said.
Reference
- Alcon Australia. Cataract solutions and consumer awareness: optimising cataract outcomes in Australia. September 2026. Available at: alcon.widen.net/s/zbdfgd9phn/001-alcon-cataract-whitepaper-a4_digital_v8.1_lr [accessed Sept 2026]
