Time trends in cataract surgery and after-cataract laser capsulotomy in Taiwan: A population-based retrospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
Determine the incidence rate, risk factors, and time trends from 2000 to 2010 for cataract surgery and after-cataract laser capsulotomy.


METHODS
Longitudinal Health Insurance Databases (LHID) with approximately 3 million people in Taiwan National Health Insurance Program from 2000, 2005, and 2010 was used. Index year was defined as year 2000 for LHID2000, year 2005 for LHID2005, and year 2010 for LHID2010.


RESULTS
The age-standardized rate of first-eye cataract surgery per 100,000 persons was 324 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 288-363) in 2000, 317 (95%CI = 288-353) in 2005, and 342 (95%CI = 308-379) in 2010. Risk factors related to the incidence of cataract surgery included age, sex, diabetes mellitus, geographic region, and income level (all p values < 0.05). The incidence rate of laser posterior capsulotomy within 2 years after cataract surgery was 23.3% in 2000 but decreased to 14.6% in 2005 and to 12.9% in 2010. The incidence of laser capsulotomy for after-cataract was significantly associated with index year, age, sex, in- or out-patient, and edge design of intraocular lenses (all p values < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence rate of cataract surgery over year 2000-2010 remained stable after age standardization. However, the incidence rate of laser capsulotomy for after-cataract significantly decreased during the 10-year study period.
Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taiwan.
Jiahn-Shing
JS
Lee
Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan.
Chia-Chi
CC
Chung
Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taiwan.
Ken-Kuo
KK
Lin
Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.
Kuang-Hui
KH
Yu
Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.
Chang-Fu
CF
Kuo
Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taiwan; Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan; Biostatistics Core Laboratory, Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taiwan. Electronic address: lichu@mail.cgu.edu.tw.
Lai-Chu
LC
See
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013624:Taiwan
After-cataract laser capsulotomy; Cataract surgery; Taiwan; Time trends