2002 Survey for KSCRS Members: Current Trends in Cataract and Refractive Surgery in Korea

PURPOSE: Since 1995, we have annually surveyed the members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS) on cataract surgery technique, anesthesia, intraocular lens and refractive surgery to understand the current situation and future trends in these fields. METHODS: Eighth annual survey forms consisted of 114 multiple-choice questions mailed in Feburary 2003 to 385 ophthalmologists of the KSCRS. Approximately 28.1% of the questionaires mailed were returned. Current data were compared with previous annual survey and data from Japan and USA. RESULTS: Hospitalized period is decreased annually and use of topical anesthesia (44%) increased. Self sealing wound construction was the main wound closure technique in phacoemulsification accounted for 54%. Most preferred intraocular lenses for small incision cataract surgery are acrylic (58%), increased highly. The number of members performing excimer laser keratomileusis for refractive surgery was increased (77%). Most respondants preferred LASIK without regard to diopter range. Legal problems on excimer laser and LASIK is in increased. The implantation of phakic IOL is performed by 17% of the members and 91% of members are interested in it. CONCLUSIONS: From this survey, we found current trend and change in cataract and refractive surgery in Korea are similar to those of Japan and USA.

Current Trends in Cataract and Refractive Surgery in Korea 2000 Survey for KSCRS(Korean society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery) Members

PURPOSE: Cataract and refractive surgical procedures which are one of the most common and successful surgeries in modern medicine. The purpose of this study is clear understanding of the current situation and future trends in cataract and refractive surgery. METHODS: Sixth annual survey forms consisted of 88 multiple-choice questions mailed to 281 ophthalmologists of the KSCRS in January 2001. Approximately 32% of the questionnaires were returned. The current data were compared with previous annual surveys and data of Japan and USA. RESULT: The hospitalized period is decreased annually, but the rate of topical anesthesia (44%) increases steadily. Self sealing wound construction was the main wound closure technique in phacoemulsification (48%). The most preferred intraocular lenses for small incision cataract surgery are silicone (48%), acrylic (40%), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, 11%). 72% of the respondents were performing excimer laser keratectomy for refractive surgery, and its most common complication is the regression of visual acuity (35%). Most respondents preferred laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) without regard to diopter range and there is decreasing tendency of legal problems after refractive surgery. CONCLUSIONS: From this survey, we found that the current trend and changes in cataract and refractive surgery in Korea are similar to those of Japan and USA.

Current Trends in Cataract and Refractive Surgery in Korea: 1999 Survey for KSCRS Members

PURPOSE: Cataract and refractive surgical procedures are now among the most common and successful surgeries in medicine. Since 1995, we have annually surveyed the members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery(KSCRS) on cataract surgery technique, anesthesia, intraocular lens and refractive surgery to understand the current situation and future trends in these fields. METHODS: Fifth annual survey forms consisted of 80 multiple-choice questions mailed in January 2000 to 234 ophthalmologists of the KSCRS. Approximately 47% of the questionnaires mailed were returned by the February cutoff date. Current data were compared with previous annual survey and data from Japan and USA. RESULTS: Hospitalized period is decreased annually and use of topical anesthesia(38%) increased steady. Self sealing wound construction was the main wound closure technique in phacoemulsification accounted for 41%. Most preferred intraocular lenses for small incision cataract surgery are silicone(60%), acrylic (33%), and PMMA(7%). Especially, acrylic intraocular lens had been used highly. Viscoelastics(38%) produced by Korean medical company becomes widely used compared with previous year. 61% of the respondents were performing excimer laser keratomy for refractive surgery. Its complications are the regression of visual acuity(39%), halo or glare(36%), and irregular astigmatism(15%). 52% of the respon-dents performing LASIK had the experience of thin or perforated flap formation, and 48% had free cap formation. Also, legal problems on excimer laser and LASIK have been increased highly. CONCLUSION: From this survey, we found current trend and change in cataract and refractive surgery in Korea are similar to those of Japan and USA.

Current Trends in Cataract and Refractive Surgery in Korea-1998 Survey for KSCRS Members

Cataract and refractive surgical procedures are now among the most common and successful surgeries in medicine. A clear understanding of the current situation and future trends in these fields has become increasingly important. Since 1995, we have annually surveyed the members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery(KSCRS)on cataract surgery technique, anesthesia, intraocular lens and refractive surgery. 4th annual survey forms consisted of 73 multiple-choice questions mailed in February 1999 to 176 ophthalmologists of the KSCRS. Approximately 47% of the sent out questionnaires were returned by the March cutoff date. Current data were compared with previous annual survey and data from Japan and USA. Hospitalized period is decreased annually and use of topical anesthesia(42%) increased greatly. Self sealing wound construction was the main wound closure technique in phacoemulsification accounted for 73%. Most preferred intraocular lenses for small incision cataract surgery are silicone(47%), PMMA(38%)and acrylic(15%). Viscoelastics(33%)produced by Korean medical company becomes widely used compared with previous year. Sixty eight percent of the respondents were performing excimer laser keratotomy for refractive surgery. Most preferred diopter for differentiation PRK from LASIK was 5 diopter. From this survey, we found current trend and change in cataract and refractive surgery in Korea are similar to those of Japan and USA.

`97 Survey of Korean society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Members

Cataract and refractive surgical procedures are now among the most common and successful in medicine. A clear understanding of the current situation and future trends in these fields has become increasingly important. Since 1995, we have annually surveyed the members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive surgery(KSCRS) about cataract surgery technique, anesthesia, intraocular lens and refractive surgery. Third annual survey forms consisted of 71 multiple-choice questions were mailed in January 1998 to 180 ophthalmologist members of the KSCRS. Approximately 44% of the questionnaires mailed were returned by the February cutoff date. Current data were compared with data in previous annual survey. Over half of the respondents(52%) were in forties. Most of the cataract operation(83%) was carried out on hospitalized patients. Use of a retrobulbar with akinesia for cataract was 49%, and use of topical anesthesia increased from 5% in 1995 to 17% in 1996. Eight-one percent of surgeons used phacoemulsification for more than half of their patients. Selfsealing wound construction was main wound closure technique in phacoemulsification for 44%. The type of intraocular lens used for small incision cataract surgery included silicone(64%), small round PMMA(polymethyl methacrylate, 21%), and acrylic(11%). Sixty-three percent of surgery. From the answers to the survey, we found current trend and these results are valuable information to all ophthalmologists.