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 (…