Development of day case cataract surgery at prince rashid hospital

Abstract EN

Objective : To study the applicability and complications of cataract surgery as an outpatient procedure at this hospital instead of the practiced inpatient policy.

This was done with the aim of developing this service at the hospital.

Methods : This study was done with an aim to establish this service at the hospital.

It was done during the period from May 2001 to July 2003.

It involved all patients who were planned for cataract surgery at this hospital during that period.

Before enrolling patients in the study they were evaluated for having their surgery on outpatient basis.

Criteria for evaluation includes assessment of the general health of the patient, discussion of any problems in transport to and from the hospital, and finally if the patient has any personal preference for inpatient or outpatient practice.

The study design includes documenting the complications encountered and their frequency in view of comparing them with international figures.

Results : During the study period nine hundreds and eighty five patients were found to be planned for cataract surgery.

Seven hundreds and seventy eight patients (79 %) were considered suitable for outpatient service according to the evaluation criteria set and were enrolled in this study.

Two hundreds and seven patients (21 %) were excluded for different reasons.

Complications included one case of endophthalmitis, one case of retrobulbar hemorrhage and one case of expulsive hemorrhage.

Conclusion : This study confirms the applicability of change to outpatient senile cataract surgery at our hospital, it also confirms that it doesn’t have a higher risk than the international figures.

These facts encourages the development of the ambulatory care service for cataract surgery.