The impact of preloaded intraocular lens implantation system (TECNIS iTec®) in routine cataract surgery in China: a time-motion analysis

Abstract Objective To evaluate the impact on surgical efficiency and labor time cost of preloaded intraocular lens (IOL) implantation system compared with manual IOL implantation system in age-related cataract surgery in China. Methods This study was an observational, multicenter, prospective time-motion analysis. IOL preparation time, operation time, cleaning time, number and cost of cataract surgeries in eight participating hospitals were collected. The linear mixed model was used to explore factors associated with the difference in operation time between the preloaded IOL implantation system and the manual IOL implantation system. A time-motion model was constructed to convert the operation time cost saved by using preloaded IOL into economic benefits from hospital and social perspective, respectively. Results There were 2,591 cases included in the study (preloaded IOL: 1,591 cases; manual IOL: 1,000 cases). The preloaded IOL implantation system was significant time-saving in both preparation time and operation time compared to the manual IOL implantation system (25.48s vs. 47.04s, P