On April 27, 2007, the ASCRS Foundation, through its Eye Surgery Education Council, released the results of a Harris Interactive poll surveying American attitudes and understanding of presbyopia.

The release was timing to coincide with the launch of a corresponding public education website, www.readclearlyagain.org.

The foundation’s Harris survey polled 500 adults between the ages of 45 and 65 (general population) and 250 patients who have undergone surgical treatment options to correct their condition (ASCRS patients).

The poll found that there is increasing interest among the people in the 45 + age (baby-boomers) group to find ways to manage presbyopia, but an overall lack of understanding of the condition and its treatment options. "Survey results showed that most adults in both sample groups are not at all knowledgeable about presbyopia, nor do they know what causes it. In fact, 79% of the general population is not at all knowledgeable, and 56% of patients who have had corrective surgery for presbyopia do not even know what the condition is," said Samuel Masket, MD, Chair of the ASCRS Presbyopia Task Group and ASCRS Past President.

Among the ASCRS patient sample, prior to surgery 70% reported having a great deal of difficulty "reading ordinary print in newspapers or magazines without glasses;" 57% had a great deal of difficulty with "reading a menu at a restaurant without glasses;" 55% had a great deal of difficulty with "driving without glasses;" 50% had a great deal of difficulty with "doing work or hobbies."

• After surgery, 49% of the ASCRS sample have no difficulty "reading ordinary print in newspapers or magazines without glasses;" 51% have no difficulty with "reading a menu at a restaurant without glasses;" 71% have no difficulty with "driving without glasses;" 51% have no difficulty with "doing work or hobbies…"
• 81% of the ASCRS sample says being able to focus on objects close had some impact on their lives (42% say major impact).
• 64% of the ASCRS sample says that vision correction surgery/cataract surgery had a major positive impact on their lives.

While most general population adults haven’t had vision correction surgery, 66% reported being at least somewhat willing to get an artificial lens if the procedure was FDA-approved.

The ASCRS patient sample, on the other hand, underwent vision correction surgery primarily because it became hard to see things well and because they thought it would bring them more freedom, which according to them, it did. Most would recommend the surgery and, in fact, a majority said it changed their life. The benefits of surgery for the ASCRS sample included: more comfort driving (72%); being more active (62%); more self-confidence (65%); more active social life (42%); more fulfilling career or work life (46%).

The survey findings show a clear opportunity for increased education of the American public with regard to both presbyopia and its treatment options. In addition to the new website, the foundation plans a media campaign based upon the survey results that will include print articles for newspapers and general interest magazines, as well as a series of video news releases to be aired on television newscasts nationwide.