A Study on the Visual Outcomes and Complications of Cataract Surgery in the Rural Population of Indian Patients with Pseudo exfoliation

Abstract

Aim: To analyze the visual outcomes and the intra and postoperative complications of manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) in patients with Pseudo exfoliation (PXF). Materials and Methods: The study included 76 eyes of 76 patients of the rural population in India with cataract and PXF who underwent MSICS surgery. The effect of the parameters like the dilatation of pupil during surgery, nuclear grading at baseline was studied with respect to the final visual outcomes and intra operative and postoperative complications of cataract surgery. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 4 weeks and 6 weeks after surgery were reported. Results: The mean age of the patients was 64.9 years and there were 44 males and 32 females. The BCVA ranging from 6/6 to 6/9 was seen in 44 (58.1%) eyes at 4 weeks and 46 (60.6%) eyes at 6 weeks. The visual outcomes were lower in patients with higher nuclear sclerosis (NS) of grade IV-V, poor pupil size (?6 mm) compared to patients with NS I-III and good pupil size (>6 mm). Iris prolapsed 8 (10.9%) and posterior capsular rent 7 (9.2%) intra operatively and corneal edema 34 (44.7%) postoperatively that subsided within 1-2 days were the most commonly reported complications. Conclusion: MSICS technique in cataract patients with PXF is cost effective and is associated with good visual outcomes. Early diagnosis, proper preoperative and postoperative planning, knowledge and surgical skills of handling the possible complications can increase the success rate of cataract surgery in patients with PXF. Keywords: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Nuclear grading, Pupil size, Pseudo exfoliation