title: Socioeconomic status and incident cataract surgery: the Blue Mountains Eye Study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess whether socioeconomic status influenced the incidence of cataract surgery in a defined population of older Australians. The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 residents during 1992-1994, then 2334 survivors (75.1%)during 1997-1999. Interviewers collected information on principal occupation, which was analysed using Australian Bureau of Statistics categories (stratified into four groups) and the Daniel Occupational Prestige Scale. Cataract surgical history was confirmed at both visits from clinical examinations. There were no statistically significant associations for any of the occupational categories with the 5-year incidence of cataract surgery. In summary, this study could not confirm any major socioeconomic associations with incident cataract surgery, supporting the view that cataract surgery is largely patient driven and that its primary incentive is patient benefit.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Centre for Vision Research, University of Sydney,Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Younan
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Mitchell
authors: RobertG
authors: R
authors: Cumming
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Rochtchina
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D009790:Occupations; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires