We read with interest Robbie et al’s article.1 We agree with the authors that identification of risk factors for cataract surgery is important, as it has implications for patient care, surgical training, auditing and revalidation. The authors concluded that older age was not associated with an increased risk of intraoperative complications. Complication rates in patients ⩾88 years old were not significantly different to patients <88 years (4.5% vs 6.3%, p = 0.54). Complication rates in patients ⩾96 years was higher …