Visual results after cataract surgery by a military resident surgeon

We compare the visual results of cataract surgery performed by a military resident with those achieved by civilian surgeons. Upon reviewing the first 47 extracapsular cataract extractions performed by one resident military surgeon, we found that 98% of eyes achieved a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better, and 95% were 20/25 or better. The mean surgically induced astigmatism was 0.54 diopters, with 97% less than or equal to 2 D from preoperative values. Eighty-three percent of eyes receiving intraocular lenses were within 2 D of emmetropia. The mean residual refractive error in those eyes was +0.121. Complications were infrequent (17%). These results compare favorably with other reports.