rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:50-52 doi:10.1136/bjo.2004.045369
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Routine monitoring of visual outcome of cataract surgery. Part 2: Results from eight study centres

  1. H Limburg1,
  2. A Foster1,
  3. C Gilbert1,
  4. G J Johnson1,
  5. M Kyndt2,
  6. M Myatt3
  1. 1International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
  2. 2Formerly Sight Savers International, Grosvenor Hall, Bolnore Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4BX, UK
  3. 3Institute of Ophthalmology, Division of Epidemiology, University College London, 11–43 Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK
  1. Correspondence to: Hans Limburg Nijenburg 32, 1613 LC Grootebroek, Netherlands; hlimburgquicknet.nl
  • Accepted 15 May 2004

Abstract

Aim: To determine whether monitoring of cataract outcome can be implemented as a routine activity in different hospital settings in Africa and Asia, and to assess the impact of routine monitoring.

Methods: Eight eye centres in Asia and Africa were involved in the study between 1 June and 31 December 2000. Seven centres used a specifically designed cataract surgery record form with computerised data entry and analysis (CCSRF), and one centre used a manual recording form (MCSRF). Data were used to evaluate quality of data entry, follow up after surgery, and to assess trends in the proportion of complications and visual outcome after surgery.

Findings: The reporting systems were accepted and used by all centres, and data were recorded for 5198 cataract operations. Overall, 54% of eyes were followed for 8 weeks or more and 41% for 6 months. Follow up rates varied between centres from nil to almost 100%. Visual acuity tended to improve over time. The outcome could be improved at all follow up periods by providing best spectacle correction. At 8 weeks or more follow up, surgical complications or inadequate spectacle correction accounted for 72% of the causes of poor outcome. Three centres showed a significant reduction in complication rates over the course of the 6 month study. Data entry was identified as a problem and the CCSRF software has been modified to include consistency checks to reduce data entry errors.

Conclusion: A simple system to monitor cataract outcome has been successfully field tested. The results suggest that monitoring can sensitise surgeons to quality control, which can lead to a decrease in complication rates and improved visual outcomes.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Register for free content

    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.