NEW YORK—Prevent Blindness has again declared June as Cataract Awareness Month. In recognition of the month, Prevent Blindness offers a variety of free informational resources in English and Spanish including fact sheets, social media graphics and a listing of vision care financial assistance programs. The group also offers a dedicated web resource, and the “Understanding Cataract” episode in the “Focus on Eye Health Expert Series,” featuring Albert Cheung, MD, cataract, cornea and anterior segment specialist with Virginia Eye Consultants and assistant professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology.

Prevent Blindness stated that more than half of all Americans have cataracts by the time they are 80, while the CDC reported that cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide and the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. These stats make it clear that raising awareness of cataract is one of the most important things members of the eyecare community can do; this week, we’re taking a look at how some ECPs headed to social media to do exactly that.

In Newark and Columbus, Ohio, Blomberg Eye Center shared an illustration to help explain cataract. Image via bloombergeye on Instagram


The team at Your Eye Specialists, with locations in south Florida, opened the floor to followers and patients to ask questions about cataract. Image via youreyespecialists on Instagram


In Atlanta, Woodhams Eye Clinic reminded patients that regular eye exams are key to catching cataracts early. Image via woodhamseye on Instagram


The Dr. Tavel team explained that healthy lifestyle choices and eye exams can help lessen the likelihood of and developing cataracts. Image via drtavel on Instagram


Gregor Eye Care in Overland Park, Kan., shared some of the cataract symptoms patients should look out for. Image via gregoreyecare on Instagram


Center for Sight in Las Vegas offers patients premium cataract lenses. Image via centerforsightlv on Instagram