Trends in the frequency of cataract extraction in Olmsted County, 1980-1994

Purpose. We added population-based data on the incidence of cataract extraction in 1993 and 1994 to previously collected data for the time interval 1980 to 1992. Materials and Methods. Through access to medical records from Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Group, and other regional providers, the computerized Rochester Epidemiology Project data capture virtually all care provided to residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota. All patients with a procedure code for cataract extraction performed between 1980 and 1994 were included. County residence was verified for all subjects, and accuracy of demographic and clinical coding was checked in a stratified random sample of charts. Trends in incidence rates, standardized to the age and sex distribution of the 1990 U.S. white population, were analyzed using Poisson regression. Results. Data previously presented demonstrated an increase in standardized annual rates of cataract extraction per 100,000 population from 134 (95% C.I.=106,162) in 1980 to 518 (95% C.I.=469,567) in 1992. Based on 404 procedures performed in 1993 and 401 procedures in 1994, annual rates per 100,000 fell to 475 (95%C.I.=428,522) and 464 (95% C.I.=418,510) respectively. However, the overall trend increase from 1980 to 1994 was significant (p=0.0000+). Conclusions. With the exception of 1988 and 1989, rates in this geographically circumscribed population increased every year between 1980 and 1992. Data for 1993 and 1994 indicate that rates may have plateaued and have now started to decline. If sustained, this pattern would have major implications for future health care resource utilization.