Darrant H1,2, Maccora K1, Skippen B1,2,3

1Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, 2University of New South Wales, 3University of Notre Dame

Biography:

Heath is an Intern Doctor working at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, where he completed his training through UNSW. Heath is passionate about Rural Health and excited to continue research and advocacy within this space.

Abstract:

Introduction:

Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed procedures worldwide with excellent outcomes, yet traditional postoperative care relies on multiple in-person visits. While effective, this model poses significant travel and access challenges for rural Australians. Emerging evidence suggests that telephone and hybrid follow-up pathways offer comparable safety and high patient satisfaction in low-risk cases, reducing clinic burden without compromising outcomes. This audit evaluates patient preferences and outcomes associated with telehealth follow-up after cataract surgery, contributing evidence toward sustainable, accessible postoperative care in rural settings.

Methodology:

A retrospective audit was conducted of cataract surgeries performed at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital between 18/06/25 and 11/08/25. De-identified data were extracted from Riverina Ophthalmology records, including demographics, distance from residence, operative details, follow-up modality, and postoperative outcomes. Data were cleaned by two investigators and analysed using SPSS to assess associations between patient preference, follow-up type, and clinical outcomes.

Results:

Eighty-seven patients (mean age 74 years) were included, travelling an average of 76 km (range 4-375 km). For Day 1 follow-up, 63.4% preferred telehealth, and 71.9% later opted for an additional in-person review at 2-4 weeks. Excluding two mild intraocular pressure elevations observed in-person day 1, no postoperative complications occurred in either group. Distance did not predict telehealth preference, but patients undergoing second-eye surgery were 1.5 times more likely to forgo in-person ophthalmology review.

Conclusion:

Patients demonstrated strong acceptance of telehealth for postoperative review, supporting its integration as a safe, adjunct model to reduce travel burden and improve rural healthcare accessibility.