The New Zealand cataract and refractive surgery survey 1997/1998

Background: This study documents the current practice for cataract and refr active surgery in New Zealand. Method: A postal questionnaire was distributed in late 1997 to all consulta nt members of the Ophthalmological Society of New Zealand that were residen t in the country at that time. Most questions were identical to the 1997 su rvey of the American Society of Cataract and Refraction Surgeons (ASCRS) to enable a comparision. Results: There were 98 returns from 101 surveys distributed. Of the returns , 72 performed cataract surgery, 23 performed PRK and 11 performed LASIK. A SCRS members did more refractive surgery than did New Zealanders: 28 versus 1% of 1-5 RK per month, 7 versus 1% of 1-2 clear lens extractions per mont h and 85 versus 51% had access to an excimer laser. For cataract surgery, A SCRS members used more topical anaesthesia (30 vs 5.5%), used no sutures mo re often (73 vs 51%), used more preoperative antibiotics (76 vs 26%) and us ed fewer injections of antibiotic/steroids (38 vs 61%). Otherwise the two g roups were broadly similar.