In 1992 a Swedish National Cataract Register was instituted. More than 90% of all cataract surgeries are performed at community run eye clinics. All community run eye clinics in the country participated and 89% of all cataracts performed are included in this register. In total 31,679 eyes were entered. All the pertinent preoperative information on these patients can be found in the register. As indicated in other studies two-thirds of the surgeries were performed on women and one-third of the surgeries was performed on second eyes. The number of surgeries equals 4.5 per 1000 inhabitants and this figure has steadily increased since 1980.