The number of estimated cataract procedures and refractive surgery procedures remained essentially unchanged from last year, according to results from the annual survey of members of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

The estimated annual volume of cataract surgery procedures was 2.79 million, according to the respondents, down from 2.85 million in 2004.

The estimated volume of refractive proceduresincluding LASIK, LASEK and photorefractive keratectomyalso declined slightly, from 948,266 in 2004 to 928,737 procedures in 2005.

Although the volume of cataract procedures declined by 60,000 (about 2% of the total volume) in 2005, the margin of error on this survey was plus or minus 3%, so the volume has likely remained stable, says ophthalmologist David Leaming, of Palm Springs, Calif. Dr. Leaming collaborated on the survey with ophthalmologist Richard J. Duffey, of Mobile, Ala.