Objective:

To investigate patient demand for cataract surgery and the concentration of surgeons in the U.S., aiming to identify potential areas of unmet need.

Key Findings:

• RSV for 'cataract surgery' increased 250% from 2004 to 2023.
• Surgeon concentration and demand index varied significantly by state, indicating specific areas of unmet need.

Interpretation:

The increase in search volume indicates a growing patient interest in cataract surgery, suggesting the need for targeted interventions in underserved regions to improve patient care.

Limitations:

• Reliance on ASCRS membership data may not capture all practicing surgeons, potentially skewing results.
• Google Trends data may not fully represent actual patient demand, limiting the applicability of findings.

Conclusion:

The findings highlight the need for tailored patient education and outreach in ophthalmology to address gaps in eye care and combat misinformation, aligning with the identified areas of unmet need.