Reduced mortality compared with national averages following phacoemulsification cataract surgery: a retrospective observational study.
BACKGROUND
Higher or equal rates of mortality are associated with cataract surgery compared with the general population. Cataract surgery has advanced, and the clinical characteristics of the patient undergoing cataract surgery have changed.


OBJECTIVE
To reinvestigate survival following cataract surgery.


METHODS
Survival data were gathered up to the end of 2006 on 933 consecutive patients who underwent cataract surgery between December 2000 and February 2001. These data were compared with national and regional mortality figures, and standardised mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated.


RESULTS
After adjusting for age and sex, there was a statistically significant reduced mortality compared with national (SMR = 0.88 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.99)) and regional figures (SMR = 0.87 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.98)).


CONCLUSIONS
All previous studies found decreased survival among cataract surgery cohorts. These data differ from data at earlier times, as cataract surgery seems to be associated with increased survival. This illustrates the need for continual re-evaluation of accepted medical knowledge in the light of changes in practice and population demographics.
Clinical Research Unit, Bristol Eye Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol BS1 2LX, UK. msjb1@doctors.org.uk
M S J
MS
Blundell
L P
LP
Hunt
E J
EJ
Mayer
A D
AD
Dick
J M
JM
Sparrow
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000401:mortality*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate; D055815:Young Adult