Regional variation in indications for cataract surgery? An analysis of the pre-IOL period.

A comparison of indications for cataract surgery in 3 major clinics was done. These clinics serve the population of 3 Danish counties for which the standard operation ratio previously has been shown to be below average, average and above average. Evaluated on basis of pre-operative visual acuity in both eyes, no differences in the indications were found between the 3 clinics. Other possible determinants of rate variation might be differences in doctors' and patients' attitude towards cataract treatment, variation in cataract prevalence and in ophthalmic service supply.