International ophthalmology
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Many preoperative ophthalmic and medical tests lack proven effectiveness in the evaluation of cataract surgery patients. Variation in use has been described in the USA, but little information is available for countries with different health systems. The objectives of the study were to assess variation in ophthalmologists' use of preoperative testing on cataract surgery patients and to identify ophthalmologists' characteristics associated with it. ⋯ In Barcelona, Spain, some ophthalmic tests of unproven effectiveness are frequently performed preoperatively on cataract surgery patients without ocular comorbidity. Also, a generalized utilization of several medical tests was reported. There is potential for some cost containment and more appropriate care of cataract patients without diminishing the quality of care, in a location with low surgery rates.