Effect of the time interval between cataract surgery for both eyes on mental health outcome: a cohort study of 585,422 patients

BackgroundCataract surgeries can improve mental health outcomes. However, previous studies have not investigated whether the time interval between cataract surgeries for 2 eyes affects mental health outcomes.MethodsWe used the whole-population National Health Insurance (NHI) claims data from Taiwan to conduct a cohort study. Patients who received cataract surgeries for both eyes were identified (n=585,422). The mental health inpatient and outpatient consultations received by these patients were analyzed, with different time intervals (<3, 3 to 6, 6 to 12, and>12months) between the surgeries. Negative binominal regression was performed to estimate the interaction of the first eye surgery with the time interval.ResultsThe number of mental health consultations was lowest among patients with a time interval of <3months (1.783-1.743, P<.001), and a negative dose response effect was observed, such that a longer time interval corresponded to a lower reduction in the number of mental health consultations. For patients with a time interval of >12months, the predicted number of mental health consultations increased from 1.674 to 1.796 (P<.001).ConclusionsGiven a patient expected to receive surgeries for both eyes within 1year, scheduling both surgeries within a short time interval may be beneficial for maximizing the effects of cataract surgery in reducing the number of mental health consultations.

Automated summary

The study found that scheduling both cataract surgeries within a short time interval for patients expected to receive surgeries for both eyes within 1 year may help maximize the effects of cataract surgery in reducing the number of mental health consultations.