Cost effect of surgeon and patient discretion in regard to cataract surgery

Figures & data

Table 1 Effect of mortality on decreasing surgical volume if surgery is delayed until progression occurs for different types of cataract among males at various ages

Age	Percent decrease in surgery for NS	Percent decrease in surgery for cortical	Percent decrease in surgery for PSC
45	1.1	1.5	1.6
50	1.6	2.2	2.5
55	2.3	3.0	3.5
60	3.1	4.4	5.0
65	4.9	6.2	7.4
70	6.3	9.2	11.2
75	9.9	14.7	17.3
80	15.4	23.2	27.1
85	23.9	36.2	42.3
90	33.8	51.1	59.7

Abbreviations: NS, nuclear sclerosis; PSC, posterior subcapsular.

Figure 1 Cataract progression rate and death rate vs age among males.

Abbreviations: NS, nuclear sclerosis; PSC, posterior subcapsular.

Figure 2 Estimated decrease in surgical volume vs age as a result of delaying surgery until cataract progression due to mortality.