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Study: Iranian cataract surgery rate increased significantly between 2000 and 2005
Optom Vis Sci. 2009;86(7):890-894.
The cataract surgery rate in Iran increased dramatically between 2000 and 2005 but is still below the World Health Organization's benchmark, according to a study. The WHO's Vision 2020 Initiative is designed to eliminate cataract blindness worldwide.
"Considering the age structure of the young population of Iran, the present [cataract surgery rate] may suffice," the study authors said. "However, it is necessary to implement plans to increase the [cataract surgery rate] and obviate obstacles to eliminating cataract blindness."
The study was part of the Iranian Cataract Surgery Survey, a retrospective cross-sectional analysis. Data were collected at all major cataract surgery centers and 10% of randomly selected minor centers. Data collection was conducted at each center for 1 week each season between 2000 and 2005, for 24 weeks total.
Investigators evaluated 13,409 surgical records from 2000 to 2005 and calculated the cataract surgery rate for each year. The cataract surgery rate rose from 526 in 2000 to 1,331 in 2005.
"[Cataract surgery rate] has significantly increased in Iran in recent years but is still below the target suggested by WHO," the authors said.