Bilateral same day phacoemulsification: 220 cases retrospectively reviewed

The relative frequency, basic patient data, results, and complications of planned same day bilateral phacoemulsification were studied from April 1999 to May 2001 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Linköping University Hospital, Sweden.

Retrospective study of patient records (n=220) regarding preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, applied indications, concurrent disease, preoperative, peroperative, and postoperative complications, and number of unplanned postoperative visits. The monthly rate of bilateral phacoemulsification to all cataract procedures was monitored.

Mean corrected preoperative visual acuity was 0.27 (worse eye) and 0.39 (better eye), and postoperatively (all eyes) 0.71. Visual acuity was 0.5 or better in 78% of eyes. Preoperative considerations included type of cataract, to avoid anisometropia, social circumstances, and concurrent eye disease. Reasons for unplanned postoperative visits included secondary cataract (n=10), iritis (n=6), corneal oedema (n=3), cortex in the anterior chamber (n=2), and unilateral endophthalmitis (n=2). During the study period, 10.5% of patients were operated upon bilaterally on the same day.

Same day bilateral phacoemulsification was found to be a safe and cost effective way of rapidly rehabilitating selected cataract patients. The patient must be informed of the added potential risks as well as the benefits of the procedure.