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Purpose: To analyse trends of ISBCS reported to the Swedish National Cataract Register (NCR) over a 10-year period., Methods: Since 2010 the NCR contains social security number of all individuals in the list of parameters reported to NCR after each cataract procedure. Bilateral surgeries were mapped out using social security numbers. When dates of both-eye surgeries are identical for an individual it is classified as an immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS). This study includes all data reported during the period 1st of January 2010 to 31st of December 2019. During the study period 113 cataract surgery clinics affiliated to the NCR reported their data on consecutive cataract cases., Results: For the whole period 54 194 ISBCS were reported. The total number of bilateral cataract extractions was 422 300. There was a significant trend of increasing ISBCS over time with linear regression (Beta = 1.75, p < 0.001). In ISBCS the occurrence of an ocular comorbidity decreased over time. The use of a capsular tension ring was significantly more common in ISBCS than in delayed sequential bilateral cataract surgery (DSBCS). All other measures taken during surgery were more common in DSBCS. The use of multifocal IOL was significantly more frequent in ISBCS compared to DSBCS (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The use of ISBCS has increased over the study period. The operated eyes have less risk factors than eyes going through a DSBCS, but both ocular comorbidities and surgical complications occur in ISBCS eyes., (© 2023 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: To investigate the surgical and pharmacological management and outcomes of patients with cataract and concurrent uveitis., Methods: Data from the Swedish National Cataract Register, 2018-2019, were collected and analysed. Uveitic eyes were identified and eyes without uveitis were used as controls. Generalized estimating equations were used to adjust for intra-individual correlation., Results: The study included 719 eyes with and 256 360 without uveitis. The mean age was 66.0 ± 13.5 (standard deviation [SD]) years in the uveitis group and 74.3 ± 8.7 years in the control group (p < 0.001). Surgery was associated with more intraoperative difficulties in eyes with uveitis (27.0%) than in control eyes (7.1%; p < 0.001). Posterior capsule rupture/zonular complications were registered in nine eyes with uveitis (1.3%) and in 1464 eyes without uveitis (0.6%; p = 0.02). Hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (uveitis 3.6%, controls 1.2%) and subconjunctival steroids (uveitis 17.4%, controls 6.1%) were more frequently used in eyes with uveitis (p < 0.001). post-operative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.16 ± 0.38 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR, mean ± SD) in eyes with uveitis (n = 52) and 0.08 ± 0.20 in control eyes (n = 14 489; p = 0.008)., Conclusion: In this large registry-based Swedish cohort study, the findings demonstrate that cataract surgery in patients with uveitis poses more challenges and requires special surgical precautions. Eyes with concurrent uveitis had worse BCVA prior to and following surgery. Despite the intraoperative challenges, the visual improvement was greater in the uveitic group., (© 2022 The Authors. Acta Ophthalmologica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.)

Purpose: To investigate case mix in relation to capsule complication, possible associations between case mix and operation volume, and change in case mix over time., Design: Register-based study., Participants: Swedish patients who underwent cataract surgery between 2007 and 2016., Methods: Demographics and data on ocular comorbidity, intraoperative difficulties, and capsule complications were registered from 2007 to 2016 and analyzed retrospectively in relation to coded data on individual surgeons' operation volume. Single factor analysis and logistic regression were performed, and a composite risk score was created., Main Outcome Measures: Risk of capsule complication, given as adjusted and composite odds ratio in relation to cataract surgery volume., Results: Preoperative and intraoperative variables significantly associated with capsule complications were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≤0.1 (decimal, adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.82; P < 0.001); pseudoexfoliation (PEX) (aOR, 1.53; P < 0.001); sight-threatening ocular comorbidity other than age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or cornea guttata (aOR, 1.35; P = 0.006); use of Trypan blue (aOR, 1.76; P < 0.001); mechanical pupil dilation (aOR, 1.36; P = 0.024); and iris hooks at the rhexis margin (aOR, 6.99; P < 0.001). The composite risk score was 3.09 ± 6.40 (mean ± standard deviation) for patients with capsule complication and 1.28 ± 1.66 for uncomplicated procedures (P < 0.001). High-volume cataract surgeons (≥500 procedures yearly) had a significantly lower composite risk score (mean risk score ≤1.28; range, 1.01-2.02) compared with low- and medium-volume cataract surgeons (1.34 ± 0.56; range, 1.00-4.55 and 1.49 ± 0.58; range, 1.01-5.19), respectively. During the period 2007-2016, the proportion of patients aged >88 years, patients with BCVA ≤0.1, and patients with intraoperative difficulties decreased., Conclusions: Case mix, as calculated from a composite risk score based on preoperative and intraoperative parameters registered in the National Cataract Register (NCR), may contribute to the decrease in capsule complications from 2007 to 2016 and the lower complication rate observed in cases managed by high-volume cataract surgeons., (Copyright © 2020 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To analyze the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of cataract surgery complicated by a dropped nucleus., Setting: Patients who have received cataract surgery in 18 European countries., Design: Retrospective cross-sectional register-based study., Methods: Data from the European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (EUREQUO) were analyzed. The EUREQUO contains preoperative baseline, intraoperative, and follow-up data. Intraoperative data include dropped nucleus as a complication. Baseline data such as demographic data, ocular comorbidities, surgical difficulties, and visual and refractive outcomes were tested for association with a dropped nucleus for the study period from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018., Results: The number of reported patients with complete data was 1 715 348. Dropped nucleus was reported in 1221 eyes (0.071%) during the study period. White cataract, previous vitrectomy, poor preoperative visual acuity, small pupil, pseudoexfoliation, diabetic retinopathy, and male sex were significantly related to dropped nucleus. Year of surgery showed a significant trend of decreasing occurrence of dropped nucleus over time. Eyes with the complication of a dropped nucleus also had a poorer visual and refractive outcome compared with eyes with existing risk factors but no such complication., Conclusions: Many risk factors for dropped nucleus complications were identified. A significant trend of decreasing occurrence of dropped nucleus was found for the study period. The visual and refractive outcome was poorer for eyes with a dropped nucleus.

Purpose: To study the impact of corneal guttata on postoperative visual acuity and patients' self-assessed visual function after cataract surgery., Setting: Patient data from 49 Swedish cataract surgery units., Design: Retrospective cross-sectional register-based study., Methods: Data from patients who had cataract surgery from 2010 to 2017 and completed the Catquest-9SF questionnaire were obtained from the Swedish National Cataract Register. Logistic proportional odds regression was used to model the impact of corneal guttata on the visual acuity and self-assessed visual function. Adjustments were made for age, sex, ocular comorbidities, days to follow-up, preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and preoperative Rasch person score. The main outcome measures were postoperative CDVA and Rasch person score calculated from the Catquest-9SF questionnaire., Results: The study comprised data from 33 741 patients. Cataract surgery greatly improved CDVA and self-assessed visual function in patients both with and without corneal guttata. Still, corneal guttata was significantly associated with a poorer visual acuity and a worse self-assessed visual function after cataract surgery. The negative effect of corneal guttata on visual acuity was most prominent during the first 3 weeks postoperatively, but it persisted at least 3 months postoperatively., Conclusions: Patients with corneal guttata benefit substantially from cataract surgery but have an additional risk for inferior results compared with patients without corneal guttata. These findings could serve as valuable tools in clinical practice, in particular, when deciding to perform cataract surgery and how to inform the patient about surgical benefits and risks., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To describe a large cohort of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgeries in terms of baseline characteristics and the related outcomes., Setting: Eighteen cataract surgery clinics in 9 European countries and Australia., Design: Prospective multicenter case series., Methods: Data on consecutive eyes having femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in the participating clinics were entered in the European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (EUREQUO). A trained registry manager in each clinic was responsible for valid reporting to the EUREQUO. Demographics, preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), risk factors, type of surgery, type of intraocular lens, visual outcomes, refractive outcomes, and complications were reported., Results: Complete data were available for 3379 cases. The mean age was 64.4 years ± 10.9 (SD) and 57.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 56.1-59.5) of the patients were women. A surgical complication was reported in 2.9% of all cases (95% CI, 2.4-3.5). The mean postoperative CDVA was 0.04 ± 0.15. logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. A biometry prediction error (spherical equivalent) was within ±0.5 diopter in 71.8% (95% CI, 70.3-73.3) of all surgeries. Postoperative complications were reported in 3.3% (95% CI, 2.7-4.0). Patients with good preoperative CDVA had the best visual and refractive outcomes; patients with poor preoperative visual acuity had poorer outcomes., Conclusions: The visual and refractive outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery were favorable compared with manual phacoemulsification. The outcomes were highly influenced by the preoperative visual acuity, but all preoperative CDVA groups had acceptable outcomes., (Copyright © 2017 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To compare the visual, refractive, and adverse outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery., Setting: Cataract surgery clinics in 9 European countries and Australia (femtosecond-assisted) and 18 European countries and Australia (conventional)., Design: Multicenter case-control study., Methods: Eyes having femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery were matched to eyes from the European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery phacoemulsification cataract surgery database for preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), age, and preoperative risk factors. Intraoperative and postoperative complications, postoperative CDVA, and refractive outcome were compared. The follow-up was 7 to 60 days., Results: The study matched 2814 femtosecond-assisted cases to 4987 conventional phacoemulsification cases. Femtosecond-assisted surgery compared as follows to conventional phacoemulsification: posterior capsule complications, 0.7% versus 0.4%; postoperative logMAR CDVA, 0.05 (6/6 -3 ) versus 0.03 (6/6 -2 ); worse postoperative CDVA at follow-up (by 5 letters or more), 1.0% versus 0.4%; CDVA 0.3 (6/12) or better, 96.3% versus 97.1%; absolute biometry prediction error, 0.43 diopter (D) versus 0.40 D; within ±0.5 D of target, 72% versus 74.3%; and postoperative complications, 3.4% versus 2.3%., Conclusions: Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery did not yield better visual or refractive outcomes than conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Intraoperative complications were similar and low in both groups. Postoperative complications were lower in conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery., Financial Disclosure: None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned., (Copyright © 2016 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To investigate visual outcome, bacteriology, and time to diagnosis in groups identified as being at risk for endophthalmitis following cataract surgery., Setting: Swedish National Cataract Register., Design: A retrospective review of postoperative endophthalmitis and control cases reported from 2002 to 2010., Methods: Three identified risk groups for endophthalmitis confirmed in previous multivariate models were organized in such a way that the highest level of significance determined the allocation of cases that belonged to more than one group. Control cases of the entire database were arranged in the same manner., Results: Of the 244 endophthalmitis cases occurring in 692 786 surgeries, 148 did not belong to any risk group, whereas the remaining cases were part of the following groups at risk: nontreatment with intracameral antibiotic (n = 22), communication with vitreous (n = 18), and age 85 years or more (n = 56). Cefuroxime was the intracameral antibiotic used in 99% of treated cases. Cases sustaining a communication with vitreous were found to have the worst visual prognosis. Among causative organisms, Gram-positive bacteria were significantly more frequent in cases with a communication with vitreous, whereas staphylococci and Gram-negative results were more common in patients aged 85 years or more than in nonrisk patients., Conclusion: Limiting the size of the risk groups by giving a prophylactic intracameral antibiotic to every single patient and by intervening earlier in the course of cataract development appear to be first steps in further reducing the endophthalmitis rate. Adjustments of the intracameral regimen may be advantageous in some risk groups., Financial Disclosure: None of the authors has any financial or propriety interest in any material or method mentioned., (Copyright © 2015 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To analyze changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) after cataract surgery based on data from the Swedish National Cataract Register (NCR)., Setting: Ophthalmic surgery units in Sweden., Design: Prospective database study., Methods: Data for 2012 through 2014 were obtained prospectively from the NCR. The outcome register of the NCR has collected data on IOP before and a mean of 37.7 days ± 29.1 (SD) after cataract surgery since 2012., Results: The analyses were based on 20 437 cataract extractions reported during 1 month each year to the outcome registry of the NCR. Cataract surgery was found to reduce IOP by a mean of 1.46 mm Hg, which was statistically significant (P < .001). A larger IOP reduction was seen in cases with a higher preoperative IOP (r = 0.557, P < .001). Older patients and shorter eyes had a greater IOP reduction after surgery (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively). Women had a greater IOP reduction than men (P = .04) When high IOP was given as an indication for surgery, the IOP reduction after cataract surgery was 5.50 mm Hg compared with a reduction of 1.40 mm Hg in patients for whom this indication was not given (P < .001). Patients with glaucoma or pseudoexfoliation (PXF) had a more pronounced IOP reduction than patients without these diagnoses (P < .001)., Conclusion: Cataract surgery had an IOP-lowering effect, in particular in older patients, women, short eyes, eyes with high preoperative IOP, and eyes with glaucoma or PXF., Financial Disclosure: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned., (Copyright © 2015 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To analyze changes over time in biometry prediction error (BPE) after cataract surgery with special reference to the impact of gender and the intra-ocular lens (IOL) calculation formula., Methods: About 65% of Swedish cataract surgery units participating in the outcome registration of the National Cataract Register (NCR) were included in this prospective register study. Data for planned and postoperative refraction and keratometry during the month of March 2004-2013 were analyzed, divided by gender. The newly introduced variables axial length and IOL calculation formula were analyzed for March 2013. Gender differences in BPE with correct sign (BPESign ) and absolute biometry prediction error (BPEAbs ) were compared for the Haigis' and Sanders-Retzlaff-Kraff T (SRK/T) formulas., Results: The BPEAbs decreased throughout the study period. In 2004-2006, the BPEAbs was larger in women than in men (p < 0.05), but this difference disappeared from 2007. For 2004 through 2009, the mean BPESign was -0.105 ± 0.79D for women, but -0.003 ± 0.73D for men. After 2009, this myopic error for women gradually diminished. The Haigis' formula performed better in women than the SRK/T formula (p < 0.001); the SRK/T formula rendered a BPESign similar to that from 2004 to 2009 in women. Women had steeper corneas and shorter axial lengths than men (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: The myopic BPE in women - associated with steeper corneas and shorter axial lengths - is decreasing, possibly owing to an increased use of the Haigis' formula. Using the Haigis' formula to a higher extent can potentially further reduce the BPEs after cataract surgery., (© 2014 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: To evaluate the posterior capsule opacification (PCO) rates in three different modern standard intraocular lenses (IOL) and analyse the related cost., Methods: Retrospective study of medical records from 1527 patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery by phacoemulsification with posterior chamber implantation of either AcrySof SN60 (n = 375), Akreos Adapt (n = 350) or Tecnis Acryl IOL (n = 801). All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon using the same surgical technique and equipment. Primary end-point was neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy for visual impairment secondary to PCO. Cost of IOL material and Nd:YAG capsulotomy for PCO was then evaluated and compared between the IOLs., Results: Mean follow-up was 41.5 months, and the only statistically significant variable of developing PCO was IOL type and individual follow-up time. Nd:YAG capsulotomy was performed in 7.47% in the AcrySof group, 17.71% in the Akreos group and 3.75% in the Tecnis group. Average cost for Nd:YAG capsulotomy per surgery was €18.75 in the AcrySof SN60 group, €44.25 in the Akreos Adapt group and €9.25 in the Tecnis Acryl group. The combined cost of cataract surgery and PCO treatment was €9.81 higher in for the Akreos Adapt group than the other two combined., Conclusions: This retrospective study shows that the risk of PCO and Nd:YAG capsulotomy is significantly higher in hydrophilic Akreos IOL compared with both AcrySof and Tecnis hydrophobic IOLs. The increased risk of PCO in the hydrophilic IOL is related to higher total average costs for cataract surgery., (© 2012 The Authors. Acta Ophthalmologica © 2012 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.)

Purpose: To analyze the visual outcome after cataract surgery., Setting: Cataract surgery clinics in 15 European countries., Design: Database study., Methods: Data were drawn from case series of cataract extractions reported to the European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery database. These data were entered into the database via the Web by surgeons or by transfer from existing national registries or electronic medical record systems. The database contains individual anonymous data on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative measurements., Results: Data on 368,256 cataract extractions were available for analysis. The best visual outcome was achieved in age groups 40 to 74 years, and men showed a higher percentage of excellent vision (1.0 [20/20] or better) than women. A corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 0.5 (20/40) or better and of 1.0 (20/20) or better was achieved in 94.3% and 61.3% of cases, respectively. Ocular comorbidity and postoperative complications were the strongest influences on the visual outcome; however, surgical complications and ocular changes requiring complex surgery also had a negative influence. Deterioration of visual acuity after the surgery (n= 6112 [1.7% of all cases]) was most common in patients with a good preoperative visual acuity., Conclusions: The visual outcomes of cataract surgery were excellent, with 61.3% of patients achieving a corrected distance visual acuity of 1.0 (20/20) or better. Age and sex influenced the visual outcomes, but the greatest influences were short-term postoperative complications, ocular comorbidity, surgical complications, and complex surgery. A weakness of the study could be that some of the data is self-reported to the registry., (Copyright © 2013 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To evaluate patients' vision-related activity limitation before and after bilateral cataract surgery using the German version of the Catquest-9SF questionnaire., Setting: Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria, and Ophthalmic Clinic, Minden, Germany., Design: Questionnaire development., Methods: This prospective 2-center study included patients who were scheduled for bilateral cataract surgery and attended their preassessment appointment approximately 1 week before cataract surgery. All patients self-administered the Catquest-9SF at the preassessment session and a second time 3 months after cataract surgery. The questionnaire includes 9 items and is a revised short form of the Catquest, scored using Rasch analysis. The Catquest-9SF includes questions concerning vision-associated problems in everyday life, general satisfaction with vision, and difficulties performing activities., Results: The study comprised 210 patients, 120 in Austria and 90 in Germany. The mean age of all patients was 74.1 years (range 41 to 92 years). Patients mostly had difficulties doing handwork (42%) or recognizing uneven surfaces (30%). Sixty percent of the patients in Austria and approximately 50% in Germany were very unsatisfied with their vision preoperatively. Postoperatively, all patients recognized a subjective improvement in their vision., Conclusions: Patients having bilateral cataract surgery achieved marked improvements in vision-related activity limitation and satisfaction with vision. A subset of patients with less vision-related activity limitation before surgery was satisfied with first-eye surgery only., (Copyright © 2013 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To define the incidence of capsule complication and its risk factors in Sweden over an 8-year period., Setting: Fifty-two ophthalmic surgery units in Sweden., Design: Database study., Methods: Data were collected prospectively in the Swedish National Cataract Register (NCR) from 2002 through 2009. The NCR contains 97.3% of the total number of cataract extractions in Sweden over the 8-year study period. One mandatory variable in the register is capsule complications during surgery. As a means to validate the accuracy of register data on capsule complications, a randomly selected sample of 2400 registrations was compared with corresponding medical records., Results: The analyses were based on 602,553 cataract extractions reported to the NCR. A capsule complication was reported in 12,574 cataract extractions, corresponding to a frequency of 2.09%. The incidence of this complication consistently decreased each year from 2002 to 2006, after which it stabilized. Poor corrected distance visual acuity in the surgical eye (≤ 0.1), the occurrence of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age were among the parameters significantly related to a capsule complication. Some of these parameters also decreased over time. However, even after adjusting for this, there was an obvious decrease in capsule complications over time. The validity test showed a certain underreporting of capsule complications to the registry, but it was not significant and did not change over time., Conclusion: The incidence of capsule complications decreased over time. This may be partly the result of fewer risk factors and of better surgical quality., Financial Disclosure: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned., (Copyright © 2011 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To identify preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with a capsule complication; that is, a capsule tear or a zonular dehiscence during cataract surgery., Setting: Ten ophthalmic surgery departments in Sweden., Methods: A retrospective review of files of patients with a capsule complication and control patients with no complication operated on in 2003 was performed., Results: The review comprised 324 patients with a capsule complication and 331 control patients. In the logistic regression analyses, preoperative conditions associated with a capsule complication were previous trauma, white and brunescent/hard cataract, and phacodonesis. The intraoperative factors of loose zonules, the use of trypan blue, and miosis were all statistically significantly overrepresented in the capsule complication group. The same was true for eyes operated on by surgeons with the least experience., Conclusions: By preoperatively identifying cataract cases with the identified risk factors and allocating them to surgeons with the longest experience, the number of capsule complications could be kept low. Operating early in the course of the disease to prevent the cataract from becoming a poor surgical risk and improving training of junior surgeons should further reduce the frequency of capsule complications.

Purpose: To study the incidence, characteristics, and results of retinal detachment (RD) after cataract surgery with a capsule complication., Setting: Ten ophthalmic surgery departments in Sweden., Methods: In this case-control study, data on cataract surgery cases with a capsule complication (study group) or with no complication (control group) in 2003 were extracted from the Swedish National Cataract Register. Patients with RD during a 3-year follow-up were identified., Results: The study group comprised 324 patients and the control group, 331 patients. Retinal detachment occurred in 13 study group patients, for a 3-year incidence of 4.0%. In the control group, 1 patient (0.3%) had RD. Multivariate analysis showed an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 14.8 for RD after capsule complication (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-114; P = .01). Subgroup analysis of the study group using a binary logistic regression model showed that male sex (OR, 8.5; 95% CI, 1.7-43.8; P = .001) and lens remnants in the vitreous (OR, 14.4; 95% CI 2.6-78.8; P = .002) were additional risk factors. Axial myopia was significantly associated with an increased risk as a single factor but not as a multiple factor. In general, the final visual outcome for RD after a capsule complication was poor; 3 eyes had a visual acuity of 0.50 or better. Eight eyes (62%) had a final visual acuity worse than 0.10 and 6 eyes, 0.02 or worse., Conclusions: The risk for RD after cataract surgery increased significantly when a capsule complication occurred, leading to poor final visual acuity in most cases.

Purpose: To describe the long-term outcomes after cataract extractions with a capsule rupture included in the Swedish Capsule Rupture Study., Setting: Ten ophthalmic surgery departments in Sweden., Methods: From the cohort of patients originally selected for inclusion in the Swedish Capsule Rupture Study, cases with a capsule complication (study group) and cases without a complication (control group) were examined approximately 3.5 years postoperatively. Visual acuity and objective and subjective parameters were registered., Results: The study group comprised 171 patients and the control group, 198 patients. Patients with a capsule complication had a significantly worse visual outcome and a doubled risk for no improvement in preoperative visual acuity. Pupil distortion, iris damage, synechias, and subjective complaints related to the eye were significantly more common in patients with a capsule complication., Conclusion: Capsule complications decreased the probability of good postoperative visual acuity and in general yielded a worse long-term outcome after phacoemulsification surgery.

Purpose: To report the selection procedure of complicated and uneventful cataract extractions included in the Swedish Capsule Rupture Study and to describe the additional care required after a capsule complication during cataract surgery., Setting: Ten ophthalmic surgery departments in Sweden., Methods: Consecutive cataract extractions with a reported capsule complication were selected from the national database. Surgical data and data from the matching ophthalmic records at the participating clinics were analyzed. Controls were selected as the first uneventful procedure in the database after each procedure with a complication., Results: Data on 655 cataract extractions were studied for evaluation of risks and additional care; a capsule complication occurred in 324 procedures and no complication in 331 procedures. Using these records, 369 patients were recruited for a follow-up examination of the outcomes 3 years after the original cataract extraction. The records showed a substantial increase in additional care after a capsule complication, including more visits after surgery, increased need for in-patient care, and a significantly greater percentage of reoperations than after the uneventful surgery. With additional care, the average cost of a procedure with a capsule complication was approximately double the cost of an uneventful cataract extraction., Conclusions: The combined study of the database and matching medical records showed a substantial increase in additional care after a capsule complication. Using the database allowed identification of a large number of capsule complication cases and uneventful cases, indicating that national databases are excellent sources of data for studying unusual complications.

Purpose: To analyze which factors influence the mean absolute prediction error after cataract surgery., Setting: Forty-nine eye departments participating in the Swedish National Cataract Register (NCR)., Methods: In this prospective multicenter comparative nonrandomized study, ophthalmology departments in Sweden voluntarily reported to the NCR the outcomes of every cataract extraction performed during the month of March from 2000 through 2005. During this period, 49 of 55 ophthalmology departments in Sweden reported data. Perioperative data describing visual acuity, sex, age, other eye diseases, target postoperative refraction, and achieved postoperative refraction were included in the study. Factors that could be related to the mean absolute prediction error were evaluated. Of the cataract extractions, 23244 were eligible for analyses. Statistical analyses were performed using multiple regression and logistic regression., Results: During the study years, the mean absolute prediction error decreased significantly (P < .0001). The mean absolute prediction error was larger in women than in men (P < .001) and in patients with low preoperative visual acuity (P < .0001). Glaucoma in the surgical eye was also significantly related to a large deviation from the target refraction. The precision in reaching the target refraction was not better in second-eye surgery than in first-eye surgery. Some clinics had a significantly smaller mean absolute prediction error than other clinics (P < .0001)., Conclusions: Some preoperative factors were related to less success in reaching the planned postoperative refraction. Taking this into consideration, extra care is warranted in cases with these preoperative risk factors.

Purpose: To establish the nationwide rate of postoperative endophthalmitis (PE) after cataract extraction (CE) and to study the relationship between PE and type of incision and other possible risk factors., Design: Prospective, multicenter, comparative, nonrandomized, observational study., Participants: All cataract surgeries in Sweden performed from January 2002 through December 2004 and all endophthalmitis cases in the same period that were reported to the Swedish National Cataract Register (NCR)., Methods: Through a standard reporting form sent to the NCR, patient and operation technique data were recorded. In addition, PE cases with a traceable number to the main register were collected. Various parameters with a possible impact on endophthalmitis development were evaluated. Univariate analyses and logistic regression were statistical methods., Main Outcome Measures: The rate and etiology of PE; possible risk factors pertaining to patient history and operation technique, with a special emphasis on incision type and location; use of injector for the intraocular lens implantation; kind of prophylaxis; and presence of peroperative communication between the anterior chamber and vitreous., Results: The overall rate of PE was 0.048% (109 cases in 225 471 CEs). Incidences of PE were 0.053% with clear corneal incisions and 0.036% with sclerocorneal incisions (P = 0.14, logistic regression analysis). The corresponding results were 0.040% for superior incisions and 0.055% for temporal incisions (P = 0.14). Communication between the anterior segment and vitreous was found to be a highly significant independent risk factor for PE (P<0.001), as were patient age > or = 85 years (P<0.001) and the nonuse of intracameral cefuroxime (P<0.001)., Conclusions: The overall rate of PE after cataract surgery is low in Sweden, which may be a consequence of the widespread use of prophylactic intracameral cefuroxime. Only a trend for an increased risk of PE was detected for clear corneal and temporal wounds. The present data indicate that the use of clear corneal and/or temporal approaches will result in 1 additional PE case in approximately 5500 procedures on top of the PE rate after sclerocorneal or superior incisions, which was approximately 1 case in 2400 operations.

Purpose: To compare patients' self-assessed visual function after bilateral surgery performed on the same day with visual function after surgery in 1 eye at a time., Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Blekinge Hospital, Karlskrona, Sweden., Methods: Patients with bilateral cataract were assigned randomly to 2 groups, patients having bilateral surgery on the same day and patients with 2 surgeries done 2 months apart. Both groups were examined before and 2 months and 4 months after surgery. All patients completed the Catquest questionnaire at each ophthalmic examination., Results: Until both eyes were operated on, patients having surgery in 1 eye had significantly more difficulties performing daily life activities (P<.001) and a worse binocular contrast sensitivity (P<.01) than patients who had bilateral surgery on the same day. Four months after surgery of both eyes in both groups, there was no difference in visual function., Conclusions: Bilateral cataract surgery on the same day allowed rapid rehabilitation of the patient and helped avoid suboptimal visual function in daily life while waiting for second-eye surgery. However, there was no extra long-term benefit of self-assessed visual function compared with cataract surgery in 1 eye at a time.

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of different probabilistic classifiers to predict posterior capsule rupture (PCR) prior to cataract surgery. Methods: Three probabilistic classifiers were constructed to estimate the probability of PCR: a Bayesian network (BN), logistic regression (LR) model, and multi‐layer perceptron (MLP) network. The classifiers were trained on a sample of 2 853 376 surgeries reported to the European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (EUREQUO) between 2008 and 2018. The performance of the classifiers was evaluated based on the area under the precision‐recall curve (AUPRC) and compared to existing scoring models in the literature. Furthermore, direct risk factors for PCR were identified by analysing the independence structure of the BN. Results: The MLP network predicted PCR overall the best (AUPRC 13.1 ± 0.41%), followed by the BN (AUPRC 8.05 ± 0.39%) and the LR model (AUPRC 7.31 ± 0.15%). Direct risk factors for PCR include preoperative best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), year of surgery, operation type, anaesthesia, target refraction, other ocular comorbidities, white cataract, and corneal opacities. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the MLP network performs better than existing scoring models in the literature, despite a relatively low precision at high recall. Consequently, implementing the MLP network in clinical practice can potentially decrease the PCR rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To characterize pre‐ and perioperative factors associated with treatment for wet age‐related macular degeneration (wet AMD) after cataract surgery. Methods: This register‐based cohort study with data from the Swedish National Cataract Register (NCR) and the Swedish Macula Register (SMR) from 2010 to 2017 compared eyes with and without preoperative AMD that had undergone cataract surgery and was subsequently treated for wet AMD to eyes not treated within the study period. All first‐eye surgeries registered in the NCR from 2010 to 2017 and matching eyes found in the SMR that had undergone treatment for wet AMD ≥ 1 year after the cataract procedure were included. Data for cataract surgery date, age and gender, use of a blue‐blocking IOL, preoperative visual acuity, ocular comorbidities, posterior capsule rupture and date of AMD treatment initiation were extracted. Results: The only independent factor associated with postoperative treatment of wet AMD in both groups was female gender (67.3% vs. 58.8%, p < 0.001 and 66.4% vs. 60.6%, p = 0.001, respectively). Older age was an independent factor in eyes without preoperative AMD (78.4 ± 6.5 vs. 73.4 ± 9.6 years, p < 0.001). A blue‐blocking IOL appeared to decrease the likelihood of subsequent wet AMD treatment slightly but not statistically significant in eyes with preoperative AMD (52.7% vs. 56.8%, p = 0.110). Conclusions: Some factors (female gender, high age) are associated with undergoing subsequent treatment for wet AMD to a higher extent. If the use of a blue‐blocking IOL offers any protection from undergoing AMD treatment after cataract surgery, such an effect must be very small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the test–retest reliability of the Catquest‐9SF questionnaire in cataract surgery. Methods: A single‐centre prospective non‐randomized test–retest study was conducted using the Swedish National Cataract Register and the Catquest‐9SF questionnaire, which is a valid patient‐reported outcome measurement tool developed and used for evaluating quality and visual disability outcome in cataract surgery. Consecutive patients (n = 144) scheduled for cataract surgery completed the Catquest‐9SF twice before surgery, with a minimum of 7 days and a maximum of 14 days between the two questionnaires. A rating scale model was constructed on the basis of the questionnaires from the first measurement and used to generate scores for both the first and second measurements. The consistency was investigated by calculating intraclass correlation, Pearson correlation and a Bland–Altman plot. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's alpha. Results: Analyses showed an intraclass correlation of 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.90–0.95), a Pearson correlation of 0.93 and Cronbach's alpha of 0.94. The results fit well in a Bland–Altman plot. Conclusion: The test–retest reliability of the Swedish Catquest‐9SF is excellent. Along with previous knowledge, this supports continued use of the Catquest‐9SF in evaluating quality and outcome in cataract surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare resource utilization of two different strategies for bilateral cataract surgery: immediate sequential cataract surgery (ISCS) versus delayed sequential cataract surgery (DSCS). The purpose was also to analyse the value for the patient of undergoing ISCS versus DSCS. Methods: Differences in routines and resource utilization between ISCS ( n = 17) and DSCS ( n = 80) were studied in a cohort of cataract surgery patients at our clinic in Karlskrona, Sweden. Costs were extracted from an earlier publication by the same clinic. The value for the patient was studied using the capability index, based on published data on the benefit to the patient of ISCS or DSCS using the Catquest questionnaire. Results: Operating both eyes of a patient was 1.14 times more expensive with DSCS than with ISCS including all surgical costs. The value to the patient of undergoing ISCS depended on the time between first- and second-eye surgery in DSCS and the remaining lifetime after both-eye surgery. A long waiting time for second-eye surgery and a short remaining lifetime decreased the patient value of DSCS compared to ISCS. Conclusion: DSCS is 14% more expensive than ISCS. The value for the patient of ISCS compared to DSCS depends on how long the period will be between first- and second-eye surgery in DSCS and also on the patient’s survival time after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the utilisation and increase of first eye cataract surgery in one-year age groups between 60 and 90 years of age during 1992-1999. Methods: Data was extracted from the National Swedish Cataract Register (NCR) that covers about 93.2% of all cataract extractions performed in Sweden during 1992-1999. The total number of living persons in each one-year age group was collected from the Year Book of Statistics in Sweden (1993-2000). Results: The number of cataract extractions in Sweden increased by 54.8% from 1992 to 1999. The rates of first eye cataract surgery in one-year age groups between 60 and 90 years of age were different for females and males and this difference did not change during a 37% increase of the surgery volume from 1992 to 1999. The rate of first eye cataract surgery increased significantly both for females (+29.4%) and males (+27.2%) during 1992 to 1999 in Sweden. Conclusion: The rate of first eye cataract surgery increased significantly from 1992 to 1999 but the gender difference in age-related utilisation of surgery remained unchanged. The increase in rate was about the same in all age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate how cataract surgery was initiated and analyse possible gender difference in referral to surgery. Methods: Consecutive patients scheduled for first eye cataract surgery at three Swedish community-run eye departments were interviewed concerning how surgery was initiated. Results: 649 patients were interviewed and 63.2% were female. The number of patients referred to surgery by an earlier contact with a health care provider was 271 (41.8%) and the remaining 378 (58.2%) patients had actively requested advice or help because of visual problems caused by cataract and without a prior regular contact. 44.7% of female patients were referred through a health care provider they visited for reasons other than cataract and the corresponding number for male patients was 36.8%. This gender difference is statistically significant at the 5% level. Conclusion: A health care provider that patients visited for other problems than cataract referred female patients to cataract surgery to a significantly higher degree than male patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To report the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis (PE) after immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) in Sweden. Retrospective cohort registry study. Patient data from 1 457 172 cataract extractions, including 1 364 934 unilateral surgeries and 92 238 ISBCSs. Endophthalmitis cases reported to the Swedish National Cataract Register (NCR) during a 16-year period (2002–2017) were analyzed in comparison to all control cases with regard to patient characteristics, surgical technique, and capsule complication. Incidence and determinants for PE in ISBCS compared with unilateral surgeries. A total of 422 cases of PE were identified in 1 457 172 cataract extractions, yielding an overall incidence of 0.029% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0262–0.0317). For unilateral procedures, the rate was 0.0299% (95% CI, 0.0270–0.0328) or 408 cases in 1 364 934 operations, whereas that for ISBCS was 0.0152% (95% CI, 0.0072–0.0231) or 14 incidents in 92 238 operations (P = 0.01). In a logistic regression model including all cataract procedures, nonuse of intracameral (IC) antibiotics (ABs), capsule complication, age 85 years or more, male gender, and ocular comorbidity were found to be independent risk factors for PE. All these parameters were less frequent in ISBCS. Notwithstanding, in the same multivariate analysis, ISBCS in itself was associated with a significantly lower risk for PE. At follow-up, 5 of the 14 PE cases in the ISBCS cohort had a visual acuity (VA) of 20/200 or worse. Of these, one 93-year-old ISBCS patient developed bilateral infection. After ISBCS in Sweden, PE occurred once in 6600 surgeries. The risk of sustaining a final VA of 20/200 or less was 1 incident in 18 000 operated eyes. When counseling potential ISBCS patients about the risk of PE, it seems reasonable to state that the reported risk in the literature is lower than that with unilateral surgery but not negligible. Precautions remain necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of topical anesthesia for cataract surgery increased over time. Topical anesthesia is associated with an increased risk of posterior capsule rupture, with and without dropped nucleus, and endophthalmitis. Purpose: To determine the trends in anesthesia techniques for cataract surgery over the past decade and their relationship to surgical complications. Setting: Clinics affiliated with the European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (EUREQUO). Design: Retrospective cross-sectional register-based study. Methods: Variables include patient demographics, visual acuity, ocular comorbidities, surgery characteristics, intraoperative complications, and postoperative complications for the study period from January 2008, to December 2018. The anesthesia methods registered in the EUREQUO and included in the study are topical, combined topical and intracameral, sub-Tenon, regional, and general anesthesia. Multivariate logistic regression models for each complication were constructed to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% CIs. Results: Complete data were available of 1 354 036 cataract surgeries. Topical anesthesia increased significantly over time (from 30% to 76%, P <.001). Sub-Tenon and regional anesthesia decreased (from 27% and 38% to 16% and 6%, respectively, P <.001), and general and combined topical and intracameral anesthesia remained stable (around 2%). Sub-Tenon (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71-0.91, P <.001), regional (0.74; 95% CI, 0.71-0.78, P <.001), general (0.53; 95% CI, 0.50-0.56, P <.001), and intracameral anesthesia (0.76; 95% CI, 0.64-0.90, P =.001) carried a significantly decreased risk of posterior capsule rupture (PCR), with and without dropped nucleus, compared with topical anesthesia. The risk of endophthalmitis was significantly lower with regional anesthesia compared with topical anesthesia (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.44-0.82, P =.001). Conclusions: The use of topical anesthesia for cataract surgery increased over time. Topical anesthesia is associated with an increased risk of PCR with and without dropped nucleus, and endophthalmitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refractive and visual outcomes after PCR were significantly worse. PCR increased the probability of receiving a PMMA or no IOL and increased the risk for postoperative complications. Purpose: To analyze the outcomes of cataract surgery complicated by posterior capsule rupture (PCR). Setting: European clinics affiliated to the European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (EUREQUO). Design: Retrospective cross-sectional register-based study. Methods: Data were retrieved from the EUREQUO between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2018. The database consists of data on demographics, intraoperative complications such as PCR, type of intraocular lens (IOL) material, postoperative refraction, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and postoperative complications. Results: 1 371 743 cataract extractions with complete postoperative data were reported in the EUREQUO. In 12 196 cases (0.9%), PCR was reported. After PCR, patients were more likely to receive a poly(methyl methacrylate) IOL (5.2% vs 0.4%, respectively) or no IOL (1.1% vs 0.02%, respectively) compared with patients without PCR. The refractive and visual outcomes in patients with PCR were significantly worse than in those without PCR (mean CDVA 0.13 ± 0.21 vs 0.05 ± 0.16 logMAR, P <.001; mean absolute biometry prediction error 1.15 ± 1.60 diopters [D] vs 0.41 ± 0.45 D, P <.001). A multivariate linear regression analysis, adjusting for potential explanatory variables, confirmed a statistically significant difference (0.04 logMAR, P <.001, and.70 D, P <.001, respectively). Patients with PCR had significantly more postoperative complications (corneal edema 0.88% vs 0.17%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.80 95% CI, 2.27-3.45, endophthalmitis 0.11% vs 0.02%, aOR, 4.40 95% CI, 2.48-7.81, uncontrolled intraocular pressure 0.55% vs 0.03%, aOR, 14.58 95% CI, 11.16-19.06, P <.001). Conclusions: Patients with PCR had significantly worse visual and refractive outcomes and more postoperative complications than patients without PCR. However, most of these patients achieved better postoperative visual acuity than that preoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze the incidence and risk factors for posterior capsule rupture (PCR) in cataract surgery. Setting: European clinics affiliated with the European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (EUREQUO). Design: Retrospective cross-sectional register-based study. Methods: Data were obtained from the EUREQUO. The database contains data on demographics, comorbidities, and intraoperative complications, including PCR for the study period from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2018. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the (adjusted) odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: We analyzed EUREQUO registry data of 2,853,376 patients, and 31,749 (1.1%) cataract surgeries were complicated by a PCR. Data were available of 2 853 376 patients, and 31 749 (1.1%) cataract surgeries were complicated by a PCR. The PCR rate ranged from 0.60% to 1.65% throughout the years, with a decreasing trend (P < .001). The mean age of the PCR cohort was 74.8 ± 10.5 years, and 17 29 (55.5%) patients were female. Risk factors most significantly associated with PCR were corneal opacities (OR 3.21, 95% CI, 3.02-3.41, P < .001), diabetic retinopathy (OR 2.74, 95% CI, 2.59-2.90, P < .001), poor preoperative visual acuity (OR 1.98, 95% CI, 1.88-2.07, P < .001), and white cataract (OR 1.87, 95% CI, 1.72-2.03, P < .001). Conclusions: Risk factors for PCR were identified based on the EUREQUO, and the incidence of this complication is decreasing over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the change in proportion of high-volume cataract surgeons during the period 2007 to 2016 and determine the impact of operation volume per surgeon and clinical unit on the rate of capsule complications. Retrospective, register-based study. Patients undergoing and surgeons performing cataract surgery at Swedish ophthalmologic departments 2007–2016. All cataract procedures performed during a 10-year period were analyzed, and the change in operation volume of individual surgeons over time was determined. The yearly incidence of capsule complications was correlated to the operation volume of individual surgeons and clinical units. The number of cataract procedures yearly per surgeon and clinical unit, proportion of capsule complications, and change over time in operation volume and complication rate. The proportion of high-volume (≥500 procedures yearly) and very high-volume (≥1000 procedures yearly) surgeons increased from 15.0% to 34.0% and 2.1% to 10.9%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both categories). The proportion of all cataract procedures performed by high-volume surgeons was 36.9% in 2007, increasing to 68.1% in 2016. The yearly incidence of capsule complications decreased with increasing number of procedures; from a mean of 2.15% (standard deviation [SD], 3.17) for low-volume surgeons (10–99 procedures/year) to 1.32% (1.28) for medium-volume (100–499 procedures/year) surgeons and 0.59% (0.49) for high-volume surgeons (P = 0.016). Preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was significantly better in eyes operated on by high-volume and very high–volume cataract surgeons; the median best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.5 (decimal) compared with a BCVA of 0.4 for patients who had their surgery performed by low- or medium-volume surgeons (overall P < 0.001). No significant difference in rate of capsule complications was seen between clinical units with high or low operation volume (P = 0.804). The overall incidence of capsule complications decreased gradually from 1.5% in 2007 to 0.8% in 2016, and preoperative BCVA increased from 0.46±0.10 (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) to 0.40±0.05 (P = 0.030). There is a strong association of rate of capsule complications with operation volume of individual surgeons but not with operation volume of individual clinical units. The decreased rate of capsule complications seen between 2007 and 2016 may be explained in part by a dramatic increase in the proportion of high-volume cataract surgeons during the period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]