Trends in cataract surgery and postoperative endophthalmitis in Western Australia (1980−1998): the Endophthalmitis Population Study of Western Australia

Abstract

Cataract surgery is becoming more prevalent in the elderly as the life expectancy of the population increases. There has been a dramatic shift in surgical practice during the last 30 years with small-incision phacoemulsification being the predominant method of intervention used since 1990. Despite changes in surgical practice the incidence rate of postoperative endophthalmitis has remained the same.

Hospital cataract surgery volume and postoperative endophthalmitis

“…5,6 This reinforces the importance of multifactorial risk reduction rather than just concentrating on surgical technique to prevent postoperative endophthalmitis.…”

“…Using the same population-based linked data approach, we have looked at cataract outcomes in Western Australia over a 21-year period. [3][4][5][6] In our own study, we undertook a comprehensive process of validation of the endophthalmitis cases reported in the database. We found that the International Classification for Diseases codes for endophthalmitis were frequently misused for other eye conditions.…”

“…Such population-based methodologies provide large unbiased samples that are necessary to properly investigate uncommon but serious problems such as postoperative endophthalmitis. 2,6 Sir, Hospital and surgeon operation volume associated with endophthalmitis…”

Trends in outpatient cataract surgery in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2006-2010

“…In Canada, 50-55 cataract patients were hospitalized per 10 000 patients in 1991 and only 1-2 per 10 000 in 2002, at a time when the rate of phacoemulsification surgery increased by 100 times (8). Factors such as reduced costs and faster procedures have decreased the duration of hospital stays (20).…”

Influence of intraocular lens material on the development of acute endophthalmitis after cataract surgery?

“…Moreover, the cataract-extraction technique probably had no influence on the incidence of POE; hence, several studies have reported a reduction in the incidence of POE following the change from intra-to extracapsular extraction, 11 but no further reduction in incidence has been reported following the change from extracapsular extraction to phacoemulsification (Table 4). [21][22][23] Rigid IOLs require a wound enlargement to 5.5-6.5 mm, which could possibly result in a higher chance of wound leakage and thereby increase the risk of POE. Moreover, Mayer et al 24 reported that injectable IOLs were less likely to cause POE because rigid lenses may be contaminated by contact with conjunctiva upon insertion.…”