This study investigated the current situation and future trends in the field of cataract surgery in Korea.

Since 1995, the members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS) have conducted annual surveys regarding cataract and refractive surgery. The 2007 annual survey, consisting of 85 multiple-choice questions, was mailed in February 2008 to 301 KSCRS members. Sixty-two (20.6%) members answered the questions. Current data were compared with data from previous annual surveys and with surveys in the United States and Europe.

Fifty-four percent of the respondents were over 50 years of age. The duration of hospital stay has decreased annually and the use of topical anesthesia (57%) has slightly increased. Self-sealing wound construction was the main wound closure technique in phacoemulsification (60%). The implantation of phakic intraocular lenses (IOL) was performed in 56% of the respondents and the most preferred IOL for small incision cataract surgery were acrylic (88%). Interest in the additional value of IOL has increased annually.

This survey summarized current trends and changes in cataract surgery in Korea.