Resource management of cataract patients: effect of four contemporary incisions on postoperative visits required.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of four contemporary cataract surgery incisions on the number of postoperative visits required.


METHODS
Cataract service of a large free-standing eye hospital in a capital city.


METHODS
This study comprised a prospective evaluation of three incisions for phacoemulsification and a retrospective assessment of age- and sex-matched patients having conventional corneal section extracapsular cataract extraction. All patients had age-related cataract. Main outcome measures were complications, best corrected and uncorrected visual acuities 6 weeks after surgery, and number of visits before discharge. Follow-up was at least 6 months.


RESULTS
Patients who had small and scleral incisions had better uncorrected visual acuities 6 weeks postoperatively because they had less astigmatism. Patients who had small and scleral incisions required significantly fewer postoperative visits before discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
A prospective assessment of the feasibility and acceptability of reduced postoperative follow-up after phacoemulsification using a scleral tunnel is required.
Claoué
C
C
Moorfields Hospital, London, England.
Hicks
C
C
D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014792:Visual Acuity