Cataract statistics¶
Last curated: 2026-10-31. Figures are source-specific. Populations, acuity thresholds, attribution rules and follow-up differ; conflicting estimates are shown side by side and are never averaged.
Global burden¶
| Figure | Estimate (95% interval where reported) | Population/year | Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cataract blindness | 15.2 million (12.7–18.0) | Adults ≥50 years, 2020 | Hierarchical models from population surveys | GBD cause analysis, PMID 33275949 |
| Cataract moderate/severe vision impairment | 78.8 million (67.2–91.4) | Adults ≥50 years, 2020 | Same model | GBD cause analysis, PMID 33275949 |
| Cataract blindness | 17.0 million; 39.6% of all blindness | All ages, 2020 | Systematic review/meta-analysis and modelling | Vision Loss Expert Group, PMID 38461217 |
| Cataract moderate/severe vision impairment | 83.5 million; 28.3% of all MSVI | All ages, 2020 | Same model | Vision Loss Expert Group, PMID 38461217 |
| Female share of cataract blindness/MSVI | 60% / 59% | All ages, 2020 | Same model | Vision Loss Expert Group, PMID 38461217 |
| Change in cataract-blind count | +29.7% | Global, 1990–2020 | Modelled trend | Vision Loss Expert Group, PMID 38461217 |
| Change in cataract-related MSVI count | +93.1% | Global, 1990–2020 | Modelled trend | Vision Loss Expert Group, PMID 38461217 |
| Change in age-standardized cataract blindness prevalence | −27.5% | Global, 1990–2020 | Modelled trend | Vision Loss Expert Group, PMID 38461217 |
| Avoidable blindness prevalence change | −15.4% (−16.8 to −14.3) | Adults ≥50, 2010–2019 | Cataract + undercorrected refractive error model | GBD cause analysis, PMID 33275949 |
| Avoidable blindness case-count change | +10.8% (8.9–12.4) | Adults ≥50, 2010–2019 | Same model | GBD cause analysis, PMID 33275949 |
| Avoidable MSVI case-count change | +31.5% (30.0–33.1) | Adults ≥50, 2010–2019 | Same model | GBD cause analysis, PMID 33275949 |
| All-cause blindness | 43.3 million (37.6–48.4) | Global, 2020 | Systematic review and hierarchical model | GBD vision analysis, PMID 33275950 |
| Projected all-cause blindness | 61.0 million (52.9–69.3) | Global, 2050 | Forecast model | GBD vision analysis, PMID 33275950 |
| Cataract MSVI (earlier VLEG model) | 52.6 million (80% UI 18.2–109.6) in 2015; 57.1 million (17.9–124.1) projected 2020 | All ages | Global Vision Database regression models | Flaxman 2017, PMID 29032195 |
| Cataract blindness (earlier VLEG model) | 12.6 million (3.4–28.7) in 2015; 13.4 million (3.3–31.6) projected 2020 | All ages | Same model | Flaxman 2017, PMID 29032195 |
Why two 2020 cataract estimates differ. The 15.2-million estimate is restricted to adults aged 50 years or older; the 17.0-million estimate covers all ages and uses a later cataract-specific synthesis. They are not competing measurements of an identical denominator (PMIDs: 33275949, 38461217).
Regional prevalence: selected samples¶
| Figure | Estimate (95% CI) | Population/year | Method and limits | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pooled cataract prevalence in selected Ethiopian studies | 32.30% (20.72–43.89); I² = 99.2% | 10 observational studies; search through 1 September 2025 | Random-effects synthesis mixing community and facility samples, including a diabetic-only study; diagnosis methods differ (Table 1). Not nationally representative and not comparable to cataract-blindness prevalence | Tassew 2026, PMID 42923250; full text checked |
Access, coverage and inequality¶
The 2026 UK National Cataract Audit compared preoperative acuity by deprivation decile but cautioned that the gradient could reflect ocular comorbidity and health-seeking behaviour as well as access. It is not an effective-coverage estimate (RCOphth — "Ninth Annual Report of the National Cataract Audit", https://nodaudit.org.uk/sites/default/files/2026-09/2026%20National%20Cataract%20Audit_Annual%20Report_Final.pdf, accessed 2026-10-10).
| Indicator | Estimate | Population/year | Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preoperative acuity ≤6/60 by deprivation decile | 15.8% in least affluent decile vs 7.7% in most affluent | 300,644 UK cataract operations with preoperative acuity and calculable deprivation decile; 2024 NHS year | National clinical audit; unadjusted comparison | RCOphth NOD 2026, p. 16 |
| Good postoperative acuity in Nigerian hospital series | 54% presenting; 75% best-corrected (95% CI 66–83 for best-corrected); substantial heterogeneity | 16 studies overall, published 2000–2023; postoperative follow-up mostly ≥6 weeks | Systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis; estimates are not current national rates | Habib 2026, PMID 41878785 |
| Effective cataract surgical coverage by education | 31.0% in illiterate participants; 59.7% after class 10 education | 31 Indian districts | District surveys | Gupta 2024, PMID 38622863 |
| Typical cataract surgical coverage | Around 50% or lower in most countries reviewed | Global evidence to review date | Review of published coverage | Hashemi 2025, PMID 39638415 |
| Economic-estimate geography | 103/155 regional estimates (66%) from high-income countries | Vision-impairment economic literature | Systematic review | Marques 2022, PMID 35340626 |
| Cataract surgical affordability index | 17%–189% in developed; 29%–133% in developing countries | Multi-country | Cost-effectiveness/affordability synthesis | Lansingh 2007, PMID 17383730 |
| CSR association with development | CSR correlated with HDI and GDP per capita | 152 countries, longitudinal | Ecological analysis | Yan 2019, PMID 30362287 |
| Global eCSC (6/18 threshold) | 48.2% (39.7–57.2) in 2025; predicted +8.4 percentage points (8.1–8.6) 2020→2030, from 43.9% to 52.3% against a 30-point target | Adults ≥50; 233 datasets, 68 countries, 2003–24 | Mixed-effects logistic regression on population-based surveys | McCormick 2026, PMID 41687671 |
| eCSC country range | 2.1% (0.9–3.4) Burundi 2024 to 77.7% (72.9–82.5) Qatar 2023 | Adults ≥50 | Same | McCormick 2026, PMID 41687671 |
| Uncorrected refractive error share of non-good postoperative outcomes | Median 26.4% per survey; correcting it estimated to raise eCSC(6/12) by a median 3.7 percentage points | Same | Same | McCormick 2026, PMID 41687671 |
| eCSC by income stratum | High income 60.5% (IQR 55.6–65.4, n=2 surveys); low income 14.8% (IQR 8.3–20.7, n=14 surveys) | 148 RAAB surveys, 55 countries | Secondary analysis | McCormick 2022, PMID 36240806 |
| eCSC sex gap | Risk difference 3.2% (95% CI 2.3–4.1); risk ratio 1.20 (1.15–1.25) favouring men | Same 148 surveys | Pooled analysis | McCormick 2022, PMID 36240806 |
| eCSC relative quality gap | 10.8% (Argentina 2013: CSC 65.7%, eCSC 58.6%) to 73.4% (Guinea-Bissau 2010: CSC 14.3%, eCSC 3.8%) | Same | Same | McCormick 2022, PMID 36240806 |
| Effective cataract surgical coverage, India | eCSC 36.7% (33.6–39.9) vs CSC 57.3% (53.3–61.2); relative quality gap 36.0% | 31 districts, RAAB pooled 2015–19, ≥50 y | District surveys | Gupta 2024, PMID 38622863 |
| Cataract surgical coverage vs outcome, Hungary | CSC (VA<3/60) 90.0%; good visual outcome in only 79.5% of operated eyes; ocular comorbidity caused 78.1% of poor outcomes | 3,523 examined, ≥50 y | National RAAB | Sándor 2020, PMID 32309181 |
Coverage is threshold-dependent: conventional cataract surgical coverage counts surgery among people judged to need it, whereas effective coverage additionally requires a good visual outcome. Neither is equivalent to raw cataract surgical rate.
Intraoperative and postoperative complication rates¶
The 2026 UK National Cataract Audit covered 546,974 eligible operations from 229 centres in the 2024 NHS year. Its definition of posterior capsule rupture includes zonular rupture with vitreous loss; its postoperative complication data were reported for only 35.5% of operations. The report cautions against treating the latter percentages as population rates. Source for the rows below: (RCOphth — "Ninth Annual Report of the National Cataract Audit", https://nodaudit.org.uk/sites/default/files/2026-09/2026%20National%20Cataract%20Audit_Annual%20Report_Final.pdf, accessed 2026-10-10).
| Outcome | Estimate | Population/follow-up | Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Posterior capsule or zonular rupture with vitreous loss | 3,849/546,974 (0.70%); 0.69% in preceding audit year | Eligible UK operations, 1 Apr 2024–31 Mar 2025 | National clinical audit; operative field near complete | RCOphth NOD 2026, pp. 7–9 |
| Good postoperative acuity, ≤0.30 logMAR (≥6/12) | 93.1% | 405,569 operations with postoperative acuity | National clinical audit; outcome data incomplete | RCOphth NOD 2026, p. 13 |
| Vision loss ≥0.30 logMAR | 0.39% | 312,711 assessable operations from 140 centres | Paired pre/post acuity; all-cause perioperative change | RCOphth NOD 2026, p. 14 |
| Severe vision loss ≥0.60 logMAR | 0.15% | 311,446 assessable operations from 140 centres | Paired pre/post acuity; all-cause perioperative change | RCOphth NOD 2026, p. 15 |
| Postoperative-complication field completeness | 194,220/546,974 (35.5%) | 209 centres submitting postoperative complication information | Missingness makes event-rate estimates unreliable | RCOphth NOD 2026, p. 28 |
The audit's 0.70% rupture figure and older EUREQUO estimate below have different populations, periods and definitions and should not be averaged.
| Outcome | Estimate | Population/follow-up | Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Posterior capsule rupture | 31,749/2,853,376 (1.1%); annual range 0.60–1.65%, declining (P<.001) | EUREQUO 2008–2018 | Register-based cross-sectional | Segers 2022, PMID 34074994 |
| PCR risk factors | Corneal opacities OR 3.21 (3.02–3.41); diabetic retinopathy 2.74 (2.59–2.90); poor preoperative acuity 1.98 (1.88–2.07); white cataract 1.87 (1.72–2.03) | Same | Multivariate logistic regression | Segers 2022, PMID 34074994 |
| Outcomes after PCR | CDVA 0.13 ± 0.21 vs 0.05 ± 0.16 logMAR; absolute prediction error 1.15 ± 1.60 vs 0.41 ± 0.45 D; corneal oedema aOR 2.80 (2.27–3.45); endophthalmitis aOR 4.40 (2.48–7.81); uncontrolled IOP aOR 14.58 (11.16–19.06) | 12,196 PCR cases in 1,371,743 EUREQUO surgeries | Register-based | Segers 2022, PMID 35179858 |
| PCR and acuity loss | OR 5.74 for doubling of visual angle — the only modifiable adverse risk indicator | 55,567 UK operations, 406 surgeons | Multicentre electronic audit | Sparrow 2012, PMID 22441022 |
| Dropped nucleus | 1,221/1,715,348 (0.071%), decreasing over time | EUREQUO 2008–2018 | Register-based | Lundström 2020, PMID 32126043 |
| Cataract surgery after previous vitrectomy | 19,416/1,715,348 (1.1%); CDVA ≥0.5 in 82.8% vs 95.6%; absolute prediction error 0.52 vs 0.43 D | EUREQUO, 15 countries | Register-based | Lundström 2020, PMID 32649433 |
| Anaesthesia and PCR risk vs topical | Sub-Tenon OR 0.80 (0.71–0.91); regional 0.74 (0.71–0.78); general 0.53 (0.50–0.56); intracameral 0.76 (0.64–0.90). Endophthalmitis with regional vs topical OR 0.60 (0.44–0.82) | 1,354,036 EUREQUO surgeries | Register-based, multivariate | Segers 2022, PMID 36449673 |
| Late in-the-bag IOL dislocation | Cumulative risk 0.1% at 5 and 10 y, 0.2% at 15 y, 0.7% at 20 y, 1.7% at 25 y | 14,471 extractions in 9,577 residents, Olmsted County 1980–2009 | Population-based cohort with nested case-control | Pueringer 2011, PMID 21683329 |
| Positive dysphotopsia | Up to 67% immediately; 2.2% persisting at 1 year; surgery indicated in 0.07% | Review | Narrative synthesis | Pusnik 2022, PMID 36676002 |
| Negative dysphotopsia | Up to 26% early; 0.13–3% persisting at 1 year | Same | Same | Pusnik 2022, PMID 36676002 |
PCR is the pivot: it is the commonest serious intraoperative event, the strongest modifiable predictor of acuity loss, and the multiplier for endophthalmitis, corneal oedema and uncontrolled IOP (PMIDs: 34074994, 35179858, 22441022).
Endophthalmitis and prophylaxis¶
| Outcome | Estimate | Population/follow-up | Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total postoperative endophthalmitis | 29/16,603; 20 proven infective | Multicentre cataract surgery trial | Randomized 2×2 factorial | ESCRS 2007, PMID 17531690 |
| Risk without intracameral cefuroxime | OR 4.92 (1.87–12.9) | Same trial | Multivariable analysis | ESCRS 2007, PMID 17531690 |
| Risk with clear-corneal vs scleral-tunnel incision | OR 5.88 (1.34–25.9) | Same trial | Multivariable analysis | ESCRS 2007, PMID 17531690 |
| Risk with surgical complication | OR 4.95 (1.68–14.6) | Same trial | Multivariable analysis | ESCRS 2007, PMID 17531690 |
| Pooled postoperative endophthalmitis | 4,502/6,809,732 eyes (0.066%) | 51 studies | Network meta-analysis | Kato 2022, PMID 36258003 |
| Intracameral route | OR 0.19 (99.4% CI 0.12–0.30) | Same network | Route sensitivity analysis | Kato 2022, PMID 36258003 |
| Weighted incidence with cefuroxime | 0.0332% | Comparative prophylaxis studies | Meta-analysis | Bowen 2018, PMID 29326317 |
| Weighted incidence with moxifloxacin | 0.0153% | Same synthesis | Meta-analysis | Bowen 2018, PMID 29326317 |
| Weighted incidence with vancomycin | 0.0106% | Same synthesis | Meta-analysis, predominantly non-randomized | Bowen 2018, PMID 29326317 |
| Endophthalmitis with vs without postoperative topical antibiotic after intracameral prophylaxis | 0.016% vs 0.017% | Large service study | Observational comparison | Rathi 2020, PMID 33120637 |
| Aqueous chlorhexidine vs povidone-iodine, post-procedural endophthalmitis | 0.024% vs 0.025%; OR 0.80 (0.54–1.19) | 8 studies (4 RCT, 4 NRS); not cataract-restricted | Systematic review/meta-analysis, GRADE moderate | Coskun 2026, PMID 42820391 |
| Endophthalmitis after cataract surgery, immunosuppressed vs not | 90-day OR 1.77 (1.42–2.21); risk difference 0.128% | 208,935 propensity-matched patients per arm, TriNetX | Retrospective claims cohort | Yuan 2026, PMID 42862931 |
| Same, classic non-biologic immunosuppressants | OR 5.03 (3.97–6.37) | Same network, class-stratified | Same | Yuan 2026, PMID 42862931 |
| Endophthalmitis after cataract surgery, national register | 131/979,534 procedures (0.013%) | Swedish National Cataract Register, 2018–2024 | Population-based register cohort; abstract only | Bro 2026, PMID 42833872 |
| Same, by intracameral regimen | 0.017% cefuroxime alone; 0.011% cefuroxime + ampicillin; 0.010% moxifloxacin; no regimen independently superior | Same register | Same; crude rates | Bro 2026, PMID 42833872 |
The antibiotic rankings above are not equally certain: cefuroxime has direct randomized evidence; agent-to-agent rankings are heavily influenced by observational data and must not be read as a randomized league table (PMIDs: 17531690, 36258003). The chlorhexidine comparison is of ocular antisepsis across procedures. The immunosuppression odds ratios are coded-claims associations after matching.
Posterior capsule opacification and retinal/macular outcomes¶
| Outcome | Estimate | Population/follow-up | Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any early PCO | 29.93% | 1,039 eyes, 3 months | Prospective imaging cohort | Gu 2022, PMID 34727350 |
| Grade 3–4 early PCO | 2.98% | Same cohort | Graded retroillumination imaging | Gu 2022, PMID 34727350 |
| PCO after prior vitrectomy | OR 2.664 | Same cohort | Multivariable model | Gu 2022, PMID 34727350 |
| PCO with <180° capsulorhexis–IOL overlap | OR 5.403 | Same cohort | Multivariable model | Gu 2022, PMID 34727350 |
| Nd:YAG at 1 year, sharp vs round edge | OR 0.30 (0.05–1.74) | 742 eyes in 6 studies | Cochrane meta-analysis | Maedel 2021, PMID 34398965 |
| Nd:YAG at 3 years, sharp vs round edge | RR 0.21 (0.11–0.41) | 538 eyes in 6 studies | Cochrane meta-analysis | Maedel 2021, PMID 34398965 |
| Nd:YAG at 5 years, sharp vs round edge | RR 0.21 (0.10–0.45) | 306 eyes in 4 studies | Cochrane meta-analysis | Maedel 2021, PMID 34398965 |
| Retinal detachment after cataract surgery | 36,886/5,480,448; 0.66 per 100 patients | Pooled surgical literature | Systematic review/meta-analysis | Alshammari 2024, PMID 39172224 |
| Clinical pseudophakic CME | 0.1%–2.35% | Modern cataract surgery literature | Narrative synthesis | Zur 2017, PMID 28351047 |
| PCME, periocular vs topical corticosteroid after uncomplicated phaco | 1.10% vs 1.40%; RR 0.84 (0.55–1.28) | 5 studies, 56,766 eyes in the PCME analysis; 10 studies / 57,564 eyes overall | Systematic review/meta-analysis | Sperotto 2026, PMID 42725749 |
| Pooled PCO incidence | 11.8% (9.3–14.3) at 1 y; 20.7% (16.6–24.9) at 3 y; 28.4% (18.4–38.4) at 5 y | ECCE and phaco with posterior-chamber IOL, pre-sharp-edge era | Meta-analysis; significant heterogeneity | Schaumberg 1998, PMID 9663224 |
| Nd:YAG at 2 years, sharp vs round edge | RR 0.35 (0.16–0.80); 89 fewer cases per 1,000 | 703 eyes in 6 studies | Cochrane meta-analysis | Maedel 2021, PMID 34398965 |
| Sharp vs round edge (older review) | PCO score −8.65 (−10.72 to −6.59) on 0–100 scale; Nd:YAG rate 0.19 (0.11–0.35) | 66 studies | Cochrane meta-analysis | Findl 2010, PMID 20166069 |
| Nd:YAG rate by IOL material | Acrylic vs PMMA −24% (−29 to −20); silicone vs PMMA −9% (−17 to −1); hydrogel vs acrylic +19% (8–30); hydrogel vs silicone +28% (10–46); silicone vs acrylic 4% (−2 to 10) | 23 RCTs | Meta-analysis of risk differences | Cheng 2007, PMID 17224119 |
| Steroid vs NSAID monotherapy and Nd:YAG | HR 0.70 (0.52–0.88, P=.001) favouring steroid after adjustment; combination vs steroid alone HR 1.11 (0.68–1.80) | 13,368 analysed patients, mean follow-up 22.8 ± 15.7 months | Retrospective registry cohort | Hecht 2020, PMID 32061757 |
PCO presence, visually significant PCO and Nd:YAG capsulotomy are different endpoints. Retinal-detachment estimates depend strongly on age, axial length, posterior capsule status and duration of follow-up.
Technique, refractive and paediatric outcomes¶
| Outcome | Estimate | Population/follow-up | Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLACS vs phaco uncorrected distance acuity | Difference −0.01 logMAR (−0.05 to 0.03) | FACT trial, 3 months | Randomized non-inferiority trial | Day 2020, PMID 32386810 |
| FLACS vs phaco composite surgical success | 41.1% (289/704 eyes) vs 43.6% (299/685 eyes); adjusted OR 0.85 (95% CI 0.64–1.12), p=0.250 | FEMCAT, 907 randomised patients (1,476 eyes), 870 analysed, 3 months | Multicentre participant-masked randomised superiority trial with sham laser | Schweitzer 2020, PMID 31954466 |
| FLACS vs phaco incremental cost-effectiveness | €10,703 saved per additional treatment success with conventional phacoemulsification | Same trial | Trial-based economic analysis | Schweitzer 2020, PMID 31954466 |
| Immediate vs delayed bilateral surgery within ±1.0 D | 97% vs 98%; difference −1% (90% CI −3 to 1) | 865 randomized participants | Multicentre non-inferiority trial | Spekreijse 2023, PMID 37201546 |
| Societal cost, immediate vs delayed bilateral surgery | €403 lower per participant | Same trial | Trial-based economic analysis | Spekreijse 2023, PMID 37201546 |
| Infant IOL vs aphakia median acuity at 10.5 years | 0.89 vs 0.86 logMAR; P=0.82 | 110/114 randomized infants assessed | Randomized follow-up | Lambert 2020, PMID 32077909 |
| Good treated-eye acuity in infant trial | 27/110 (25%) achieved ≤0.30 logMAR | Age 10.5 years | Randomized follow-up | Lambert 2020, PMID 32077909 |
| Poor treated-eye acuity in infant trial | 50/110 (44%) had ≥1.00 logMAR | Age 10.5 years | Randomized follow-up | Lambert 2020, PMID 32077909 |
| Additional intraocular surgery at 1 year, infant IOL vs aphakia | 63% vs 12%; P<0.001 | 114 infants | Randomized trial | Lambert 2010, PMID 20457949 |
| Adverse events by 5 years, infant IOL vs aphakia | 81% vs 56%; P=0.008 | 114 infants | Randomized follow-up | Plager 2014, PMID 25077835 |
| Additional intraocular surgery by 5 years, infant IOL vs aphakia | 72% vs 16%; P<0.0001 | 114 infants | Randomized follow-up | Plager 2014, PMID 25077835 |
| Age at first congenital cataract surgery, Brazilian public system | Median 4 years (IQR 2.0–6.0); 0% within 3 months; 7.0% before age 1 | 187 children (274 eyes), one reference centre in Salvador, 2015–2024 | Retrospective surgical case series | Nascimento 2026, PMID 42912061 |
| Short-eye formula evidence base | 15 studies; 2,395 eyes; 11 formulas | Eyes with short axial length | Systematic review/meta-analysis | Shrivastava 2022, PMID 35225507 |
| Long-eye formula evidence base | 11 studies; 4,047 eyes | Axial length >24.5 mm | Systematic review/meta-analysis | Wang 2018, PMID 29498180 |
| FLACS vs phaco in shallow AC / angle-closure, endothelial cell loss | MD −4.97% (−8.27 to −1.67); I² = 98%; low certainty | 6 studies, 505 eyes | Systematic review/meta-analysis | Hung 2026, PMID 42725767 |
| FLACS vs phaco in shallow AC / angle-closure, early postoperative complications | OR 0.40 (0.23–0.68); I² = 0%; moderate certainty | Same synthesis | Systematic review/meta-analysis | Hung 2026, PMID 42725767 |
Patient-important outcomes¶
| Outcome | Estimate | Population/follow-up | Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falls before first-eye surgery | 1.17 (0.95–1.43) per person-year | Older adults awaiting surgery | Longitudinal cohort | Keay 2022, PMID 35702892 |
| Catquest-9SF validation evidence | Multiple language/population validations located | Cataract populations | Systematic review | Kabanovski 2020, PMID 31862206 |
| Pooled VF-14 change after cataract surgery | +21.8 points (17.4–26.3); I² = 99.9%; prediction interval −11.3 to 54.9 | 56 cohorts in a 122-study review | Random-effects meta-analysis | Zhong 2026, PMID 42686107 |
| Pooled NEI-VFQ-25 change after cataract surgery | +19.3 points (17.0–21.6); I² = 99.4%; prediction interval 6.5–32.1 | 33 cohorts in the same review | Random-effects meta-analysis | Zhong 2026, PMID 42686107 |
| Depressive symptoms with cataract plus distance-vision difficulty | Adjusted PR 1.68 (1.08–2.61); cataract without that difficulty PR 1.03 (0.65–1.62) | 20,320 Peruvian adults ≥50 with prior eye evaluation | Nationally weighted survey | Torres-Mera 2026, PMID 42869632 |
| Patient experience after surgery | High overall satisfaction with variable negative experiences | Postoperative participants | Qualitative study | Webber 2020, PMID 32654259 |
| Falls after first-eye surgery | 0.81 (0.63–1.04) per person-year | Same cohort | Longitudinal cohort | Keay 2022, PMID 35702892 |
| Expedited vs delayed second-eye surgery, fall rate | Rate ratio 0.68 (0.39–1.19), P=0.18 — not significant | 239 women >70, 12-month follow-up | Randomised controlled trial | Foss 2006, PMID 16364936 |
| Toric vs non-toric IOL | Uncorrected distance acuity mean difference −0.07 logMAR (−0.10 to −0.04); spectacle independence RR 0.51 | 13 RCTs, 707 vs 706 eyes | Meta-analysis, GRADE high | Kessel 2016, PMID 26601819 |
| Toric IOL rotational stability | Pooled mean absolute rotation 2.36° (2.08–2.64) | 51 studies, 4,863 eyes | Single-arm meta-analysis | Li 2024, PMID 38768060 |
| Trifocal vs monofocal, uncorrected near acuity | MD −0.32 logMAR (95% CrI −0.46 to −0.19) | 27 RCTs, 2,605 patients | Bayesian network meta-analysis | Cho 2022, PMID 36136323 |
| Refractive accuracy benchmark | 71% of eyes within ±0.5 D and 92–93% within ±1.0 D of target, both arms | FACT trial, 785 patients, 3 months | Randomised trial | Day 2020, PMID 32386810 |
Known conflicts and caveats¶
- Cataract blindness depends on presenting-acuity threshold, attribution rule and whether one or both eyes define the person-level outcome.
- Age-standardized prevalence can fall while absolute case counts rise with population growth and ageing.
- Person-level and eye-level denominators cannot be interchanged.
- PCO incidence is not interchangeable with visually significant PCO or Nd:YAG capsulotomy.
- Registry complication rates reflect case mix, coding, follow-up completeness and surgeon/service structure.
- Refractive accuracy must state formula, lens constants, axial-length range and percentage within a prespecified dioptre band.
- Patient-reported improvement and acuity improvement measure different outcome domains.
- Network meta-analysis rankings (SUCRA) are frequently reported where all pairwise comparisons are non-significant; a ranking is not a difference.
- Registry associations (anaesthesia technique, surgeon grade) are confounded by case mix and are not causal estimates.
Provenance¶
Every figure on this page was re-verified against live PubMed records again on 2026-09-01. No further numerical error was found. The prior audit correction is retained for provenance: the FEMCAT surgical-success row once read "96.5% vs 96.3%"; the trial's composite primary endpoint was met by 41.1% versus 43.6% of eyes (adjusted OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.64–1.12, p=0.250) (PMID 31954466).