A Proposed Minimum Standard Set of Outcome Measures for Cataract Surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Aligning outcome measures for cataract surgery, one of the most frequently performed procedures globally, may facilitate international comparisons that can drive improvements in the outcomes most meaningful to patients.


OBJECTIVE
To propose a minimum standard set of outcome measures for cataract surgery that enables global comparisons.


METHODS
A working group of international experts in cataract outcomes and registries was convened, along with a patient advocate, to agree on a consensus of outcome measures for cataract surgery. In a modified Delphi process, the group met regularly between November 10, 2012, and November 21, 2013, to discuss which outcomes to include in a standard set. Included factors were based on extant literature, existing registries, and the experience of group members. Similarly, a series of consensus discussions were held to determine a set of risk factors to be gathered for each patient. The final shortlist was compiled into a standard set. Analysis was performed from November 22, 2013, to April 5, 2014.


METHODS
Development of a recommended standard set encompassing preoperative metrics including patient risk factors, intraoperative factors including surgical complications, and postoperative cataract surgery outcomes.


RESULTS
The recommended standard set encompasses all patients treated for cataracts by 1 of 4 surgical approaches (phacoemulsification, sutured manual extracapsular cataract extraction, sutureless manual extracapsular cataract extraction, or intracapsular cataract extraction). The recommended metrics to be recorded preoperatively include demographics, ocular history and comorbidities, preoperative visual acuity, and patient-reported visual function. The recommended outcomes were split into intraoperative and postoperative metrics. Intraoperative outcomes include capsule-related problems, dislocation of lens nucleus fragments into the vitreous, and other complications. Postoperative outcomes include visual acuity, refractive error, patient-reported visual function, and early and late complications of surgery. The suggested follow-up for collection of postoperative outcomes is up to 3 months.


CONCLUSIONS
A minimum standard set of outcome measures for cataract surgery is important for meaningful comparison across contexts. The proposed data set is a compromise between all useful data and the practicalities of data collection.
International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Imran
I
Mahmud
International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Thomas
T
Kelley
International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Caleb
C
Stowell
Department of Intraocular Lens and Cataract Services, Aravind Eye Care System, Madurai, India.
Aravind
A
Haripriya
St Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Anders
A
Boman
European Cancer Patient Coalition, Brussels, Belgium.
Ingrid
I
Kossler
Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Nigel
N
Morlet
Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California7VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California8American Academy of Ophthalmology, San Francisco, California.
Suzann
S
Pershing
Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Konrad
K
Pesudovs
National Cataract Registry, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Pik Pin
PP
Goh
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists National Ophthalmology Database, London, United Kingdom.
John M
JM
Sparrow
International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement, Cambridge, Massachusetts12European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Dublin, Ireland.
Mats
M
Lundström
D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000592:standards*; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000592:standards*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D059039:Standard of Care; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology