Abstract
Purpose :
Post-operative care for cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation frequently includes a dilated fundoscopic exam (DFE) one week after surgery. These exams are resource�intensive, uncomfortable for patients, and do not commonly yield significant findings in asymptomatic patients. The primary objective of this study is to assess the frequency of significant visual disturbances and exam findings requiring further follow-up or treatment at one-week post-operative evaluations for patients undergoing surgery at Eye Center Physicians, Ltd.
Methods :
A retrospective review was performed of 1,223 cataract surgeries among 806 patients at Eye Center Physicians, Ltd between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2020. Inclusion criteria included patients age 40 and above with a completed dilated fundoscopic exam at one-week post-operative evaluation. Exclusion criteria include capsular tear, sulcus IOL, and cases requiring vitrectomy. Statistical analysis will focus on the proportion of cases with concerning visual symptoms and the frequency of dilated fundoscopic exam findings.
Results :
We hope to determine if dilated examination of asymptomatic patients yeilds clinically significant data to support a dilated evaluation within the first week of surgery. We predict that there are few findings in asymptomatic patients that require further follow-up or treatment, and that a dilated exam could occur later in the postoperative period (possibly concurrent with the second eye). The complete analysis of this data will include DFE exam findings for both the visually symptomatic and asymptomatic subgroups, and additional detail on the nature of concerning visual symptoms, and if further treatment or follow-up was required
Conclusions :
We hope this retrospective analysis will produce a data-driven protocol for patient care during the postoperative period after cataract extraction. This protocol could improve patient wait times, resource allocation and ultimately lead to a better patient experience while maintaining the highest degree of patient safety.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.