Consecutive registration, rapid retrieval and relevant analysis of inf
ormation about cataract patients were obtained by applying a data form
. The form was designed to be used with a statistical computer program
(SPSS/PC). Data describing cataract cases, operations and postoperati
ve controls were recorded. The information is contained in 76 variable
s, each with up to 10 alternative answers. The main advantages are the
opportunity for quality control and clinical research. As an example,
an analysis of the pre- and postoperative visual acuity is presented.
Originally, the material consisted of 969 eyes, and of these, 948 eye
s were available for follow-up. The postoperative corrected visual acu
ity was 5/5 or better in 57.2% of the eyes. In 80.4% of the eyes a vis
ual acuity better than 5/10 was achieved. The main.cause of postoperat
ive visual acuity less than 5/8.5 was age-related macular degeneration
(115 eyes). This maculopathy was recognized preoperatively in 76 eyes
.