General practitioners' awareness of different techniques of cataract surgery: implications for quality of care

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Abstract
As the quality of cataract surgery varies mainly because of the difference between intracapsular and extracapsular cataract extraction, we identified ophthalmic units where both techniques wereperformed routinely and surveyed 593 general practitioners within the catchment areas of these units. A total of 367 (62%) completed questionnaires were received. Intracapsular extraction was the best known method of cataract surgery (309 general practitioners), followed by extracapsular extraction (301). Forty seven general practitioners were familiar with phacoemulsification, 26 were unaware of any of the methods used, and 43 were familiar with all three methods. Only 69 general practitioners expressed a preference for which method was used. The intracapsular technique was often preferred, and few of those expressing a preference chose phacoemulsification (table). When referring patients with cataracts, only 32 general practitioners said that their choice of consultant was influenced by the surgical method they used.