Assessment of the Progression of Public Investments in Cataract Surgery in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the progression of public investments in cataract surgery in Brazil and its correlation with the growth of the elderly population and the Gross Domestic Product (PIB) between 2010 and 2021. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of data collected in public databases recording surgical procedures and the amounts invested per surgery to treat senile cataracts, performed per year and by region by the Unified Health System in 2010 and 2021. Results: The number of cataract surgeries performed by Brazil’s public health system increased from 356,088 in 2010 to 640,408 in 2021, an increase of 79.77%, while the population over 60 years old increased by 50.08%. The increase in the number of surgeries resulted from the greater public investments in the area (increase of 26.61% in corrected values), which was consistent with the increase in Gross Domestic Product (PIB) during the period (30.88% in corrected values).