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Use of ‘big data’ has potential to decrease rate of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery
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LAS VEGAS — Surgeons can now use “big data” to develop treatment plans to lower the risk of endophthalmitis in patients after cataract surgery, according to Anne L. Coleman, MD, PhD, who gave the Jackson Memorial Lecture here.
“Big data” is defined by volume, variety and velocity: The high volume of data can be observed and tracked; the wide variety of data includes digital images and visual fields; and data are potentially available in real time, Coleman said at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting.
Anne L. Coleman
Although endophthalmitis is rare, there are still patients in whom infection develops after cataract surgery, Coleman said, and cataract surgery registries can be sources of big data, like the Medicare claims database is, that can identify cases.
Coleman and colleagues collected data from the IRIS Registry dated from between January 31, 2013, and December 31, 2014, and compared cataract surgeries using CPT codes against data from the 5% Medicare claims database.
The 5% Medicare claims database reported an endophthalmitis rate of 0.14% and the IRIS Registry reported an endophthalmitis rate of 0.08%, Coleman said.
“Currently in the IRIS Registry, we can see how we are doing compared to national benchmarks. This information is provided confidentially to us and it is a powerful tool for an ophthalmologist to determine if our practice and surgery are consistent with others in the United States,” Coleman said.
Although big data is still advancing, Coleman cautions that the IRIS Registry cannot establish causation and can only correct for confounding factors that are measured.
“If we do not measure or record an observation, then we cannot analyze or control for it. You need clinical insight to interpret the data and any findings. Without the clinical insight about my own patients’ reluctance to return for postoperative cataract visits, I may have a hard time interpreting the follow-up,” Coleman said. — by Nhu Te
Reference:
Coleman A. Jackson Memorial Lecture: How big data informs us about cataract surgery. Presented at: The American Academy of Ophthalmology. Nov. 15, 2015; Las Vegas.
Disclosure: Coleman reports that she is a recipient of a First 5 LA Brand and a consultant for Reichert Technologies.