Abstract
Purpose :
The effect of environmental factors on the outcomes of intraocular procedures has been poorly studied. We aim to determine if environmental factors affect cataract surgery outcomes and complications.
Methods :
A retrospective chart review was conducted. Patients ages 18 and older who underwent cataract surgery from 2017 to 2022 were identified from two clinics in the city of Chicago. Patients were excluded if they were lost to follow-up within 90 days of the procedure. The subjects were distributed into four seasonal groups based on the day of the surgery. The environmental (season, temperature, humidity, and precipitation) and clinical parameters were assessed during three scheduled follow-up appointments. Postoperative symptoms including eye pain, foreign body sensation, blurry vision, and dryness were assessed. Incidence of retinal detachments, retinal tears, rebound iritis, endophthalmitis, cystoid macular edema, pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, and posterior capsular opacification were analyzed as well.
Results :
2132 eyes from 1476 patients were included in the study while 125 patients were excluded. The average postoperative period from the cataract surgery was 1, 13, and 51 days for follow-ups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. There was an even distribution of cases among the four seasons: 516 (24.2%) spring, 523 (24.5%) summer, 526 (24.7%) fall, and 567 (26.6%) winter. When comparing postoperative outcomes between the four seasons via the generalized estimating equations model, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of eye pain, foreign body sensation, dryness, blurry vision, or any of the complications. Increasing humidity levels decreased the incidence of blurry vision at Follow-up 2 (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.99) and Follow-up 3 (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94-0.99). The temperature and precipitation levels had no significant effect on any postoperative symptoms and complications.
Conclusions :
Environmental factors had minimal effect on cataract surgery outcomes. Humidity levels had an inverse effect on the incidence of postoperative blurry vision possibly indicating the benefits of humidity on tear film stability. Environmental factors did not influence the incidence of postoperative complications as these complications likely stem from intraoperative causes. Therefore, there is no indication to alternate surgical and postoperative management of cataract surgery based on environmental factors.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.