Differences In The Outcomes Of Cataract Surgery In A University Hospital In Central Spain In A 20 Years Period

To evaluate the changes in the patient profile and in the objective outcomes of cataract surgery performed in a university hospital in central Spain, comparing the data of a sample of eyes operated in the same time periods of the year 2001 vs year 2021.

Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.

Retrospective, study. The charts of consecutive patients having cataract surgery as “stand alone” procedure, using phacoemulsification, in our institution from April to June in 2001 and in 2021 were reviewed. Preoperative data, description of the intraoperative complications, and 1-month post-op data were collected.

200 patients, 100 per group, were included. The mean age was 69.8±10.0 vs 72-3±7.6 years (p=0.04), the preop BCVA was 0.3±0.19 vs 0.47±0.21 (p=0.0001), the one post-op UCVA was 0.64±0.73 vs 0.68±0.28, the post-op BCVA was 0.75±0.24 vs 0.83±0.23 (p=0.03), post-op sphere was 0.24±1.41 D vs 0.08±0.23 (p=0.3), post op cylinder was -1.34±0.73 vs 1.03±0.75 (p=0.007), in 2001 vs 2021 respectively. Topical anesthesia was used in 56% vs 96% of the cases (p=0.0001) in 2001 vs 2021 respectively.

We found a trend towards better results in terms of BCVA and refractive outcomes at 1 month post op in 2021 vs 2001. Patients are having cataract surgery with better preop BCVA in 2021 than in 2001.