Evidence Hub

Trends, Factors, and Outcomes Associated with Immediate Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery among Medicare Beneficiaries

Malwankar J, Son HS, Chang DF, Dun C, Woreta F, Prescott C, Makary M, Srikumaran D

Ophthalmology, 2022

Abstract

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) and delayed sequential bilateral cataract surgery (DSBCS) and to identify factors associated with undergoing ISBCS.

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS: Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥ 65 who underwent ISBCS and DSBCS from 2011 through 2019.

METHODS: Population-based analysis of the 100% Medicare fee-for-service carrier claims data. Logistic regression models were performed to evaluate factors associated with ISBCS.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of ISBCS and DSBCS; demographic, ocular, and medical characteristics associated with receipt of ISBCS; and rates of endophthalmitis and cystoid macular edema (CME) after ISBCS or DSBCS.

RESULTS: A total of 4014 (0.2%) ISBCS and 1 940 965 (99.8%) DSBCS patients were identified. Black (odds ratio [OR], 2.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.06-2.59), Asian (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.51-2.19), and Native American (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.81-3.23) patients were more likely to receive ISBCS than White patients. Patients residing in rural areas showed a higher likelihood of ISBCS (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.17-1.35) than patients in metropolitan areas. Patients undergoing surgery at a hospital, compared with an ambulatory setting (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 2.53-2.89), were more likely to receive ISBCS. Patients with bilateral complex versus noncomplex cataract (OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 2.95-3.53) were more likely to receive ISBCS. Patients with a Charlson comorbidity…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free