Digital versus manual workflows for cataract surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cataracts are the leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide, with age-related cataracts being the most common type. With advancements in digital workflows, new alternative surgical processes aim to enhance efficiency and patient outcomes.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of digital versus manual workflows for cataract surgery through a systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on preoperative assessment time, surgery planning time, intraoperative duration, and transcription frequency.

The study was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and identified relevant studies published until July 2024 in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases.

Digital workflows significantly reduced preoperative assessment and intraoperative times for astigmatic cataracts (mean difference (MD)=80.94 s, p<0.01; MD=107.13 s, p=0, respectively) and planning times (MD=130.52 s, p=0.43). Additionally, digital workflows decreased transcription requirements for conventional and post-refractive cataracts. Heterogeneity was notable, especially in the preoperative assessments (I2 >90%).

The findings suggest that digital workflows for cataract surgery improve efficiency; however, further large-scale, long-term studies are required to assess the broader applicability and cost-effectiveness of these workflows. Digitalization has the potential to streamline the surgical management of cataracts and enhance patient outcomes.

ID CRD42024590552.