Outcomes of extracapsular cataract extraction and phacoemulsification performed in a university training program

As the number of older Americans increases, more patients will need cataract extraction surgery. Outcome studies will be necessary to assess and improve the quality of care. This study documents the outcomes of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) performed at Oak Forest County Hospital (OFH) and phacoemulsification (PE) performed at the University of Chicago Hospitals (UCH) by residents who were training at the University of Chicago.

Residents train using ECCE during their second year at OFH, and learn PE at the UCH during their third year. The authors performed a chart review of all patients who had undergone ECCE at OFH (N = 52) and all patients who had undergone PE at the UCH (N = 343) from 1995 through 1997. Complete preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative clinical data were recorded on the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery database.

There were no intraoperative complications at OFH, and 23 of 52 (44%) of the eyes had a final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 or better. At the UCH, vitreous loss occurred in 16 of 343 (5%) of the PE patients. A final BCVA of 20/40 or better was achieved in 300 of 343 (87%) of the PE eyes.

The visual outcomes of patients who undergo ECCE at a county hospital are poor, but the surgical complications are minimal. The visual outcomes of patients who undergo PE at a university hospital are good, but the complication rates are slightly higher.