Original ResearchTime trends in cataract surgery and after-cataract laser capsulotomy in Taiwan: A population-based retrospective cohort study

- Surgery is the most effective treatment for cataract. Some patients may develop after-cataract, needing further treatment.
- Few studies have investigated the population-based incidence of laser capsulotomy for after-cataract.
- We determine the incidence rate, risk factors, and time trends for cataract surgery and after-cataract laser capsulotomy.
- The incidence rate of cataract surgery over year 2000-2010 in Taiwan remained stable after age standardization.
- The incidence rate of laser capsulotomy for after-cataract significantly decreased during the 10-year study period in Taiwan.

ObjectivesDetermine the incidence rate, risk factors, and time trends from 2000 to 2010 for cataract surgery and after-cataract laser capsulotomy.Materials and methodsLongitudinal Health Insurance Databases (LHID) with approximately 3 million people in Taiwan National Health Insurance Program from 2000, 2005, and 2010 was used. Index year was defined as year 2000 for LHID2000, year 2005 for LHID2005, and year 2010 for LHID2010.ResultsThe age-standardized rate of first-eye cataract surgery per 100,000 persons was 324 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 288-363) in 2000, 317 (95%CI = 288-353) in 2005, and 342 (95%CI = 308-379) in 2010. Risk factors related to the incidence of cataract surgery included age, sex, diabetes mellitus, geographic region, and income level (all p values < 0.05). The incidence rate of laser posterior capsulotomy within 2 years after cataract surgery was 23.3% in 2000 but decreased to 14.6% in 2005 and to 12.9% in 2010. The incidence of laser capsulotomy for after-cataract was significantly associated with index year, age, sex, in- or out-patient, and edge design of intraocular lenses (all p values < 0.05).ConclusionThe incidence rate of cataract surgery over year 2000-2010 remained stable after age standardization. However, the incidence rate of laser capsulotomy for after-cataract significantly decreased during the 10-year study period.