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Database analysis examines 5-year trends of cataract surgery
Optimal timing for cataract surgery may be between the early and late stages of the disease, according to a study.
The database study analyzed preoperative, surgical and postoperative data from patients who underwent cataract extraction over a 5-year period. The data sets were from the Netherlands, Sweden and Malaysia.
Preoperative visual acuity trended significantly better over time, with a number of second-eye procedures having a higher percentage of “excellent” visual acuity before surgery.
Over the 5 years, the rate of age-related macular degeneration decreased in Sweden, remained stable in the Netherlands and increased in Malaysia. There were only small changes in glaucoma frequency. Diabetic retinopathy increased in Malaysia and Sweden but decreased in the Netherlands.
In all three databases, there was a significantly decreasing trend in the frequency of capsule complications.
Visual acuity after surgery improved in all three data sets but decreased over time as preoperative visual acuity became better.
“The decision on timing of cataract surgery is a complex one, and the one-size-fits-all approach does not work,” the study authors said. “[From] these large data sets, we learned that late surgery on an eye with poor vision means increased risk for complications, whereas early surgery with excellent preoperative visual acuity means increased risk for poorer visual acuity.”
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.