Aim: The aim of this study was to determine if aging is a factor that increases the intraoperative complication rate during phacoemulsification surgery.
Materials and methods: Patients who underwent phacoemulsification surgery were divided into three age groups according to World Health Organization classification, as follows: ≤ 59, 60-74, and ≥ 75 years. The intraoperative complications which occurred during the operation were recorded. Binary logistics regression analysis, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and Duncan’s (multiple range) test were used for statistical analysis.
Results: In total, 789 patients who underwent phacoemulsification surgery at Nigde State Hospital, Ophthalmology Clinic between 01 July 2010 and 31 October 2012 were retrospectively reviewed, and intraoperative complications that occurred during surgery were recorded. Mean age of the patients was 68.98 years (range 38–93 years). In all, 132 (16.7 %) patients were aged ≤ 59 years, 406 (51.5 %) were aged 60 - 74 years, and 251 (31.8 %) were aged ≥ 75 years. The complication rates were 3.78 % in the ≤ 59-year-old age group, 5.17 % in the 60- to 74-year-old age group, and 5.30 % in the ≥ 75-year-old age group. Age did not have a significant effect on intraoperative complication rates during phacoemulsification surgery, according to binary logistic regression analysis (P = 0.58) and Pearson’s correlation analysis (P = 0.076). The incidence and risk of intraoperative complications in the age groups did not differ statistically (Duncan’s test, P = 0.18).
Conclusion: Age has no effect on the rate of intraoperative complications during phacoemulsification surgery.