Policyholder Services

What is OMIC’s position regarding immediately sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS)?

As the American Academy of Ophthalmology states in their Preferred Practice Pattern, “Cataract in the Adult Eye,” immediately sequential bilateral cataract surgery may be indicated in certain circumstances, but the advantages and disadvantages must be carefully weighed against the risk of potentially blinding complications such as bilateral endophthalmitis before proceeding with same-day surgery. OMIC shares this conservative position. Recognizing that ISBCS may be in the best interest of the patient because of health concerns or anesthesia risks that make multiple surgeries more risky or because unusually long travel distances create an undue hardship for the patient that might compromise adequate follow-up care, OMIC has not implemented underwriting requirements, policy conditions, or exclusions that prohibit the performance of immediately sequential bilateral cataract surgery. OMIC does, however, encourage insureds considering the performance of ISBCS to contact risk management staff at (800) 562-6642, option 4, before proceeding. OMIC’s risk managers can provide advice and assistance in developing appropriate protocols for determining when ISBCS is indicated, obtaining adequate informed consent that addresses the increased risks of ISBCS, implementing safeguards to reduce the risk of bilateral endophthalmitis or other complications, and proper medical record documentation.

Updated 9/30/2019