Characteristics Associated With Receiving Cataract Surgery in the US Medicare and Veterans Health Administration Populations

IMPORTANCE Considerable variation exists with respect to the profiles of patients who receive cataract surgery in the United States. OBJECTIVE To identify patient characteristics associated with receiving cataract surgery within the US Medicare and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) populations. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this population-based retrospective cohort study of 3 073 465 patients, Medicare and VHA patients with a cataract diagnosis between January 1, 2002, and January 1, 2012, were identified from the 2002-2012 Medicare Part B files (5% sample) and the VHA National Patient Care Database. Patient age, sex, race/ethnicity, region of residence, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores, and comorbidities were recorded. Cataract surgery at 1 and 5 years after diagnosis was identified. Data analysis was performed from July 1, 2016, to July 1, 2017. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Odds ratios (ORs) of cataract surgery for selected patient characteristics. RESULTS The study sample included 1 156 211 Medicare patients (mean [SD] age, 73.7 [7.0] years) and 1 917 254 VHA patients (mean [SD] age, 66.8 [10.2] years) with a cataract diagnosis. Of the 1 156 211 Medicare patients, 407 103 (35.2%) were 65 to 69 years old, 683 036 (59.1%) were female, and 1 012 670 (87.6%) were white. Of the 1 917 254 VHA patients, 905 455 (47.2%) were younger than 65 years, 1 852 158 (96.6%) were male, and 539 569 (28.1%) were white. A greater proportion of Medicare patients underwent cataract surgery at 1 year (Medicare: 213 589 [18.5%]; VHA: 120 196 [6.3%]) and 5 years (Medicare: 414 586 [35.9%]; VHA: 240 884 [12.6%]) after diagnosis. Factors associated with the greatest odds of surgery at 5 years were older age per 5-year increase (Medicare: OR, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.23-1.24]; VHA: OR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.17-1.18]), residence in the southern United States vs eastern United States (Medicare: OR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.36-1.40]; VHA: OR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.38-1.41]), and presence of chronic pulmonary disease (Medicare: OR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.24-1.27]; VHA: OR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.38-1.41]). Within Medicare, female sex was associated with greater odds of surgery at 5 years (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.13-1.15). Higher CCI scores (CCI score >= 3 vs 0-2) were associated with increased odds of surgery among VHA but not Medicare patients at 5 years (Medicare: OR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.92-0.95]; VHA: OR, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.23-1.36]). Black race vs white race was associated with decreased odds of cataract surgery 5 years after diagnosis (Medicare: OR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.78-0.81]; VHA: OR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.73-0.76]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Within both groups, older age, residence in the southern United States, and presence of chronic pulmonary disease were associated with increased odds of cataract surgery. Findings from this study suggest that few disparities exist between the types of patients receiving cataract surgery who are in Medicare vs the VHA, although it is possible that a smaller proportion of VHA patients receive surgery compared with Medicare patients.