OUTCOMES OF EXTRACAPSULAR CATARACT-EXTRACTION AND PHACOEMULSIFICATIONPERFORMED IN A UNIVERSITY TRAINING-PROGRAM

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: 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 stud y documents the outcomes of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) p erformed at Oak Forest County Hospital (OFH) and phacoemulsification ( PE) performed at the University of Chicago Hospitals (UCH) by resident s who were training at the University of Chicago. PATIENTS AND METHODS : Residents train using ECCE during their second year at OFH, and lear n 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 clinica l data were recorded on the American Society of Cataract and Refractiv e Surgery database. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complication s at OFH, and 23 of 52 (44%) of the eyes had a final best-corrected vi sual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 or better. At the UGH, vitreous loss occur red in 16 of 343 (5%) of the PE patients. A final BCVA of 20/40 or bet ter was achieved in 300 of 343 (87%) of the PE eyes.CONCLUSIONS: The v isual outcomes of patients who undergo ECCE at a county hospital are p oor, but the surgical complications are minimal. The visual outcomes o f patients who undergo PE at a university hospital are good, but the c omplication rates are slightly higher.