Limited evidence supports immediately sequential surgery, with faster rehab, improved visual outcomes
THURSDAY, April 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Immediately sequential bilateral cataract surgery seems beneficial, with faster rehabilitation, improved visual outcome, and savings in time and costs, according to a review published online March 30 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
Van C. Lansingh, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to understand the current status of knowledge regarding immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery.
The researchers note that although the evidence is limited, it increasingly supports immediately sequential bilateral cataract surgery. The benefits include faster rehabilitation, improved visual outcomes, and savings in terms of cost and time. The fear of bilateral endophthalmitis resulting from the simultaneous procedure is not supported by the evidence.
“Stronger and greater evidence is needed before immediately sequential bilateral cataract surgeries can be considered the standard of care,” the authors write. “Where immediately sequential bilateral cataract surgery can potentially create the most beneficial impact is in public eye health programs in developing countries, but this has not yet been explored.”
Several authors disclosed financial ties to HelpMeSee, which also funded the study.
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