Cataract Surgery in the Baltic Countries

Purpose: To analyze development of cataract surgery in the Baltic Countries with emphasis on Lithuania. Methods: Retrospective analyses for Estonia, Latvia and prostective for Lithuania cataract surgery evolution was performed. First study on Eye health care services in eastern Europe was performed 1998. Results: The cataract surgical rate in 1998 was as follows: Estonia (2530), Latvia (1860), Lithuania (1550). The majority of inpatient eye departments were operated by the state. Private eye hospitals providing surgical services were extremely rare. Waiting list were reported in Estonia (3–6 months), Lithuania (2 months), Latvia (2 weeks). Cost of IOL is covered by health insurance or borne by the state eye care provider. Number of phacoemulsification machines remained bellow one phacoemulsification machine per one million inhabitants, except Estonia (4).

Prospective study for cataract service was conducted in Lithuania. Nine years later, in 2007, data on cataract surgery has changed. Number of phacoemulsification machines in Lithuania raised up to 18 (5 per million inhabitants) Rate of cataract surgery is 3.500. Private hospitals are more common but cataract surgery is low (˜ 5%). IOL are used for all patients and foldable IOL in 60%. Conclusion: Cataract surgery is developing constantly and cataract surgeons are more utilized. Over 80% of all surgeries are performed using phacoemulsification technique, IOL are used in 100% of cases.