Systemic and ocular comorbidity of cataract surgical patients in a western Sydney public hospital

  1. Thuan Quoc Pham MB BS1,
  2. Jie Jin Wang MMed PhD1,
  3. Elena Rochtchina MApplStat1,
  4. Anthony Maloof FRANZCO2,
  5. Paul Mitchell MD PhD FRANZCO1

Article first published online: 28 JUL 2004

DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2004.00842.x

Issue

Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology

Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology

Volume 32, Issue 4, pages 383–387, August 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Pham, T. Q., Wang, J. J., Rochtchina, E., Maloof, A. and Mitchell, P. (2004), Systemic and ocular comorbidity of cataract surgical patients in a western Sydney public hospital. Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, 32: 383–387. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2004.00842.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    University of Sydney, Department of Ophthalmology (Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute)

  2. 2

    Department of Ophthalmology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia

*Dr Jie Jin Wang, Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia. Email: jiejin_wang@wmi.usyd.edu.au

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 JUL 2004
  2. Article first published online: 28 JUL 2004

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Keywords:

  • Blue Mountains Eye Study;
  • cataract extraction;
  • comorbidity

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to assess the frequency of major systemic and ocular comorbidities among cataract surgical patients attending a large general public hospital.

Methods: Consecutive patients aged 60+ years who had undergone cataract surgery at Westmead Hospital from July 2001 to December 2002 were included. Preoperative information was obtained from patient medical records.

Results: A total of 773 cataract surgical procedures were performed during the 18-month period, including 668 (86.4%) aged 60+ years. Complete data were available for 653 eyes (97.8%); 62.2% were women. The mean age at surgery was 74.6 (± 7.2) years. Frequent systemic comorbidities included: angina (20.2%), previous myocardial infarct (15.0%), diabetes (27.5%) and hypertension (56.3%); 12.5% were current smokers. Major preoperative ocular comorbidities included age-related maculopathy (12.6%), diabetic retinopathy (9.0%) and glaucoma (10.6%). Preoperatively, 21.7% of this group had severe visual impairment (visual acuity [VA] <6/60), 30.6% had moderate impairment (VA <6/24 −≥6/60) and 30.6% had mild impairment (VA <6/12 −≥6/24); 28.5% had presenting VA ≥6/12.

Conclusion: The data indicate a high frequency of comorbid systemic and ocular diseases among cataract surgical patients.

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