Cataract Audit

The cataract audit utilises validated measures of quality that discriminate between surgeons and centres. Outcomes of the audit will include case complexity adjusted outcomes for surgical complications and visual acuity loss from cataract surgery

The published results show how surgeons and hospitals compare with expected outcomes. There are two specific measures

  1. the number of patients who experience posterior capsular rupture (PCR) during surgery
  2. the number of patients whose eyesight gets worse (visual loss)

To make comparisons as fair as possible we undertake case mix adjustment.  The methodology used to create the case complexity adjusted PCR  and visual loss models applied are explained in these documents.

PCR Analysis

Posterior capsular rupture (PCR) is the most common complication during cataract surgery and is accepted as a marker of surgical skill.

Posterior capsular rupture (PCR) is defined for the purposes of the National Audit as “rupture of the posterior capsule with or without vitreous prolapse, or zonule rupture with vitreous prolapse” and abbreviated simply as PCR. It should be noted that the definition excludes zonule dehiscence where no vitreous prolapse has occurred. PCR is the most important intraoperative complication and when it occurs as defined above, there is a 6 fold increased risk of vision loss, a 7 fold increased risk of endophthalmitis, and a within one year of cataract surgery a 20 fold increased risk of post cataract retinal detachment. Although PCR as defined may occasionally be unavoidable it is generally accepted as an indicator of surgical quality. These graphs show individual surgeons' rates, both unadjusted and adjusted for case-mix, and each contributing centre's rates, both unadjusted and adjusted for case-mix. Data available from 01/04/2010 to 31/03/2024.

Visual Loss Analysis

Vision Loss is vision which is significantly worse after the operation than before as measured by the sight test letter reading chart. These graphs show individual surgeons' rates, both unadjusted and adjusted for case-mix, and each contributing centre's rates, both unadjusted and adjusted for case-mix.