Improving the operative rate for cataract surgery

To establish a cataract referral patient pathway that is of high quality and of greater efficiency and to compare the operative rates (conversion to surgery from referral) for patients referred via the new refined direct optometrist (RDO) pathway and for those referred by general practitioners (GPs).

Bristol Eye Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom.

Cohort study.

A retrospective cohort of patients referred to the "1-stop cataract clinic" at Bristol Hospital Eye Service between November 1, 2008, and May 31, 2010, were identified. The operative rates between the 2 pathways were compared.

Of the patients, 4657 were referred; 4222 were referred via the traditional GP route and 435 via the RDO route. Operative rates (conversion to surgery from referral) were higher for the RDO pathway than for the GP pathway (91.9% versus 82.4%) (P=.0043).

By combining referral information from optometrists and GPs, a high-quality and efficient cataract surgery patient pathway can be established. This has major economic advantages, and this scheme could be adopted at a national level.