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

ABSTRACT

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.