Declining laser peripheral iridotomy for angle closure alongside rising cataract surgeries: A nationwide cohort study in South Korea.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To examine recent nationwide trends in cataract surgeries and laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) in Korea, and to assess their temporal association and patient-level characteristics influencing procedure patterns.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Information Database. Individuals aged 65 years and older who underwent cataract surgery or LPI between 2016 and 2021 were analyzed. Primary outcomes included the annual volumes of cataract surgeries and LPIs, their temporal association, patient demographics, the proportion of LPI patients subsequently undergoing cataract surgery, and the interval to surgery.

Results

Cataract surgeries increased annually until 2019, declined in 2020, and rose again in 2021, whereas LPI pr

SUBMITTER: Kim W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12923034 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature