Cataract surgery by junior ophthalmologists

The first 50 cases of cataract extraction and lens implant operations performed by seven junior ophthalmologists were retrospectively reviewed to determine whether the surgical outcome of cataract surgery compares with the results of the National Cataract Surgery Survey. Main outcome measures were final visual acuity achieved and the incidences of surgically related complications. In all, 322 case notes were reviewed and full datasets were obtainable in 307 patients (95%). Overall 97% achieved a final visual acuity of 6/12 or better. Twenty per cent had coexisting ocular pathology, 7% had intraoperative complications and 21% had post-operative complications. The visual outcome compared acceptably with the results of the National Cataract Surgery Survey in Britain. The overall incidences of surgically related complications were also acceptable but the rate of vitreous loss was higher and post-operative complications tended to be of greater magnitude.