Complexities and challenges of surgical data collection from cataract patients: comparison of cataract surgery rates between 2001 and 2008 in all provinces of Argentina.

PURPOSE: To compare the cataract surgical rate (CSR) in 2001 with that in 2008 in all Argentinean provinces using current reporting methods and verify the accuracy of CSRs by cross-checking these methods with the number of sold intraocular lenses (IOLs) within the country. METHODS: A longitudinal study including public and private set-ups was conducted, and it included 40 ophthalmologists from 22 provinces who provided cataract surgery data for 2001 and 2008. Other data were obtained from the Ministry of Health. Estimates were cross-checked against the market data for sold intraocular lens (IOLs) in 2008 and 2010. RESULTS: The number of cataract surgeries increased 2.7-fold, from 62,739 in 2001 to 169,762 in 2008, with increases in every province except Mendoza. Although the population also increased by 9.4% during the same time period, the apparent CSR jumped from 1,744 to 4,313 per million population. The number of IOLs sold in Argentina in 2008 was 186,652, suggesting that the number of cataract surgeries performed was slightly greater than anticipated. Cross-checks with other countries using IOL sales data did not show discrepancies when compared with previously reported CSRs. CONCLUSIONS: Although the CSR in Argentina increased considerably from 2001 to 2008 for several reasons, the main reason was that thorough cross-checking between the number of surgeries reported and the number of IOLs sold revealed that the number of surgeries performed annually were being underestimated as a result of incomplete reporting by private practitioners. Furthermore, the presence of multiple societies of ophthalmology in the country complicated the process of obtaining accurate data.

Complexities and challenges of surgical data collection from cataract patients: comparison of cataract surgery rates between 2001 and 2008 in all provinces of Argentina / Complexidades e desafios da coleta de dados cirúrgicos de catarata: comparação das taxas de cirurgia de catarata em todas as províncias da Argentina de 2001 em relação a 2008

Purpose: To compare the cataract surgical rate (CSR) in 2001 with that in 2008 in all Argentinean provinces using current reporting methods and verify the accuracy of CSRs by crosschecking these methods with the number of sold intraocular lenses (IOLs) within the country. Methods: A longitudinal study including public and private setups was conducted, and it included 40 ophthalmologists from 22 provinces who provided cataract surgery data for 2001 and 2008. Other data were obtained from the Ministry of Health. Estimates were crosschecked against the market data for sold intraocular lens (IOLs) in 2008 and 2010. Results: The number of cataract surgeries increased 2.7-fold, from 62,739 in 2001 to 169,762 in 2008, with increases in every province except Mendoza. Although the population also increased by 9.4% during the same time period, the apparent CSR jumped from 1,744 to 4,313 per million population. The number of IOLs sold in Argentina in 2008 was 186,652, suggesting that the number of cataract surgeries performed was slightly greater than anticipated. Crosschecks with other countries using IOL sales data did not show discrepancies when compared with previously reported CSRs. Conclusions: Although the CSR in Argentina increased considerably from 2001 to 2008 for several reasons, the main reason was that thorough crosschecking between the number of surgeries reported and the number of IOLs sold revealed that the number of surgeries performed annually were being underestimated as a result of incomplete reporting by private practitioners. Furthermore, the presence of multiple societies of ophthalmology in the country complicated the process of obtaining accurate data. .

Objetivo: Comparar a taxa de cirurgia de catarata (TCC) em todas as províncias da Argentina entre 2001 e 2008, utilizando métodos de relatórios convencionais e verificar a precisão da TCC por meio do cruzamento desses métodos com o número de lentes intraoculares (LIOs) vendidas no país. Métodos: Estudo longitudinal realizado em clínicas públicas e privadas, com a participação de 40 oftalmologistas de 22 províncias, que forneceram dados sobre cirurgias de catarata para 2001 e 2008. Outros dados foram obtidos a partir do Ministério da Saúde. As observações foram cruzadas com os dados de mercado para LIOs no período de 2008 a 2010. Resultados: O número de cirurgias de catarata aumentaram 2,7 vezes, de 62.739 em 2001 para 169.762 em 2008, com aumentos em todas as províncias, exceto Mendoza. Embora a população também tenha aumentado 9,4 % durante o mesmo período de tempo, a aparente TCC saltou de 1.744 para 4.313 por milhão de população. O número de LIOs vendidas na Argentina em 2008 foi de 186.652, o que pode significar que tenham sido realizadas um pouco mais de cirurgias de catarata do que o estimado. Verificações cruzadas com outros países que utilizam dados de vendas de LIOs não apresentam discrepâncias quando comparado a TCC anteriormente relatadas. Conclusões: De 2001 a 2008, a TCC na Argentina aumentou consideravelmente por várias razões mas, principalmente, porque foi revelada, por meio do cruzamento de dados sobre cirurgias relatadas com o número de LIOs vendidas, que o número de cirurgias realizadas anualmente foi hipoestimado no passado, como resultado de relatórios incompletos feitos por médicos privados. Há também várias sociedades de oftalmologia no país, o que dificulta a obtenção de dados precisos. .

Causes of blindness and visual impairment in Latin America.

We review what is known in each country of the Latin American region with regards to blindness and visual impairment and make some comparisons to Hispanic populations in the United States. Prevalence of blindness varied from 1.1% in Argentina to 4.1% in Guatemala in people 50 years of age and older, with the major cause being cataract. Diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma are starting to make serious inroads, although epidemiological data are limited, and age-related macular degeneration is now a concern in some populations. Infectious diseases such as trachoma and onchocerciasis are quickly diminishing. Although progress has been made, retinopathy of prematurity remains the major cause of childhood blindness. If VISION 2020 is to succeed, many more epidemiological studies will be needed to set priorities, although some can be of the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness design. Developing the infrastructure for screening and treatment of ophthalmic disease in Latin America continues to be a challenge.

Cataract surgery rates in latin america: a four-year longitudinal study of 19 countries.

PURPOSE: To collect cataract surgery rates data in 19 Latin American countries over a 4-year period as data published to date have been limited. METHODS: Cataract surgery rates were obtained from National Society of Ophthalmology, National VISION 2020/Prevention of Blindness Committee and Ministry of Health representatives for each country for 2005 to 2008. Economic (gross national income per capita) and other data were collected from publicly available databases. Linear and power correlations between gross national incomes and cataract surgery rates were calculated. RESULTS: Over the study period, most countries increased their cataract surgery rates, with the largest increases observed for Venezuela (186%), Nicaragua (183%), Costa Rica (100%), Uruguay (97%), and Peru (88%). Mean cataract surgery rates for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 for the ensemble of countries were 1545, 1684, 1660, and 1822 per million population, respectively, with a growth over the study period of 17.9%, concurrent with an increase of 57 million (11.5%) in the population. A good correlation between cataract surgery rate and gross national income per capita was found (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Although progress is being made in the region, the cataract surgery rates represent only one parameter. When they are examined in the context of cataract surgical coverage it is clear that substantial proportions of bilaterally blind persons are still not receiving surgery.