Resource management of cataract patients: effect of four contemporary incisions on postoperative visits required

To assess the effect of four contemporary cataract surgery incisions on the number of postoperative visits required.

Cataract service of a large free-standing eye hospital in a capital city.

This study comprised a prospective evaluation of three incisions for phacoemulsification and a retrospective assessment of age- and sex-matched patients having conventional corneal section extracapsular cataract extraction. All patients had age-related cataract. Main outcome measures were complications, best corrected and uncorrected visual acuities 6 weeks after surgery, and number of visits before discharge. Follow-up was at least 6 months.

Patients who had small and scleral incisions had better uncorrected visual acuities 6 weeks postoperatively because they had less astigmatism. Patients who had small and scleral incisions required significantly fewer postoperative visits before discharge.

A prospective assessment of the feasibility and acceptability of reduced postoperative follow-up after phacoemulsification using a scleral tunnel is required.