Outcome of cataract surgery in a remote community in northern British Columbia.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the issues influencing the outcome of cataract surgeries performed by visiting surgeons in a remote region of British Columbia.


METHODS
Retrospective series.


METHODS
We studied 198 patients who underwent cataract surgery in 2008 in a northern community (approximate area, 12 million hectares, population, 64,000).


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the 236 eyes of the participants. Outcomes include pre- and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), complication rate, pre-existing ocular comorbidities, and follow-up rate.


RESULTS
Preoperative BCVA was 20/53. The postoperative BCVA was 20/27. The complication rate, defined as postoperative BCVA less than 20/40 not explained by ocular comorbidities or needing further postoperative treatment outside of the region, was 4%.


CONCLUSIONS
Issues contributing to the higher complication rate may include lower follow-up rate due to lack of accessible ophthalmologic care, late presentation, and a long surgical waiting list.
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
Jean Y
JY
Chuo
Sonia N
SN
Yeung
Simon
S
Holland
D000368:Aged; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008952:Mobile Health Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D000078329:Workforce