PURPOSE: This purpose of this report was to study trends in cataract and refractive surgeries conducted during the past twelve years and to compare results to previous reports from the ASCRS and New Zealand (NZ) in order to forecast future medical services. METHODS: We surveyed members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS) every year from 1995 to 2006, and studied changes in cataract and refractive surgeries (RS). RESULTS: The duration of hospitalization has been gradually decreasing to the point that a one day hospitalization following surgery has become common. The rate of topical anesthesia use has significantly increased since 1998. Sutureless incision methods are now commonly practiced. The use of acryl IOL as an optic material has been gradually increasing for cataract surgeries. KSCRS members showed an interest in the special intraocular lenses as multifocal IOL. While Excimer laser PRK was the most popular refractive surgery during the first stage, KSCRS members increasingly prefer LASIK to the Excimer laser PRK. Regression of the corrected visual acuity, dry eye, night halo, and flashes were the most common complications following refractive surgeries. Medical disputes related to PRK and LASIK have been gradually increasing throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm that the KSCRS practice styles for cataract and RS are similar to those of the ASCRS and NZ. We infer a world-wide trend from the comparison of these three societies.
Adult ; Cataract Extraction/statistics & numerical data/*trends ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ/statistics & numerical data/trends ; Laser Therapy/statistics & numerical data/trends ; Lasers, Excimer ; Lenses, Intraocular/statistics & numerical data/trends ; Middle Aged ; Ophthalmology/statistics & numerical data/*trends ; Photorefractive Keratectomy/statistics & numerical data/trends ; Professional Practice/statistics & numerical data/*trends ; Questionnaires ; Refractive Surgical Procedures/statistics & numerical data/*trends ; Republic of Korea ; Societies, Medical