Aims: This study was designed to document the changing trends in ophthalmic surgery in acute public hospitals in the Republic of Ireland over the years 1994 to 2001.
Method: We obtained Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) data returned from the major acute public hospitals to the Economic and Social Research Institute. We searched for cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, strabismus, corneal transplant and repair of perforating injuries of the globe.
Results: There was a 24% increase in the total number of the searched operations occurring during the study period, from 8,857 procedures in 1994 to 11,005 in 2001. In 2001, cataract surgery alone counted for 82% of all procedures performed. There was a large increase in cataract (49%) and vitreo-retinal procedures (41%) reported between 1994 and 2001. Conversely, a large fall in trabeculectomy (67%), strabismus (63%) and corneal transplant (52%) procedures occurred during the study period.
Conclusion: These data suggest that surgical numbers in ophthalmology in Ireland are increasing and the relative proportions are changing.