As part of a systematic quality programme I routinely monitor the results of my cataract surgery. The results of a recent audit are given below. Parts of this audit, relating to control of astigmatism, were presented at a national cataract and refractive surgery (UKISCRS) meeting. National bench-mark figures, where available, are given in blue.
Total number of consecutive patients
102
Age
Mean 75 yrs (range 43-91) (76 yrs)
Sex
Male 40% (36%)
Pre-existing pathology (conditions likely to compromise final vision eg macula degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, amblyopia)
25% (15%)
Proportion high risk (pre-existing eye problems likely to add risk to cataract surgery eg high myopia or hyperopia, pseudoexfoliation)
26%
Post op unaided visual acuity (measurement of visual clarity following surgery without any correction with glasses/contact lenses. In most cases correction with glasses/contact lenses will increase the vision further. The higher the denominator figure the less clear is the vision. 6/6 vision is considered very good, legal driving vision equates to around 6/10) > 6/6 51% (overall) 59% (no pre-existing eye pathology) >6/9 82% (overall) 93% (no pre-existing eye pathology) >6/12 89% (overall) 99% (no pre-existing eye pathology)
National benchmark figures are for best corrected visual acuity ie using glasses/contact lenses where necessary, a significantly lower standard:
>6/12 86% (overall)96% (no pre-existing eye pathology)
Proportion within 1D SE (measure of how close the actual refractive outcome is to the intended)
93%
Proportion with <1Dcyl (measure of amount of residual astigmatism following surgery)
65%
Reduction of astigmatism with LRIs (additional, planned small corneal incisions that reduce pre-existing astigmatism)
Mean 1.49D
Proportion 67%
Capsule rupture (damage to membrane that supports new lens) 0% (2.68-4.4%)
Endophthalmitis (post-operative infection inside the eye) 0% (0.03-0.14%)
