Abstract
A prospective observational comparative case study on the outcome of manual small incision cataract surgery (SICS) at the base hospital and improved surgical eye camps in FarWestern region in Nepal was conducted during June and November 2010. A total of 445 cataract patients aged above or equal to 40 years without coexisting ocular pathologies were recruited and operated with SICS. Patients were examined on the first day of surgery and followed up after one week and again after 4 to 6 weeks. The uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity (VA) with pinhole was recorded on day one and after one week. Refraction and kerotometry was done at 4 to 6 weeks follow up. Comparison of the uncorrected and best corrected postoperative visual acuity at base hospital with surgical eye camps was done at 4 to 6 weeks. Of the 221 cases operated at base hospital 189 (85.5%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 80.9 - 90.2) and of the 224 cases operated at camps 202 (90.2%; 95% CI: 86.3 - 94.1) were available at the follow up period of 4 to 6 weeks. The VA improved significantly at one week and 4 to 6 weeks follow up in both the groups. A comparative analysis of two surgical set-ups showed no significant difference of uncorrected (p = 0.400) and best corrected (p = 0.580) VA in the operated eye at 4 to 6 weeks follow up time respectively. The surgical complications were low in both the settings; 8 out of 221 (3.6%; 95% CI: 1.2 - 6.1) at base hospital and 3 out of 224 (1.3%; 95% CI: 0.0 - 2.8) in camps and did not differ significantly (p = 0.580). Cataract surgery at surgical eye camps with improved settings offers safe and noticeably good outcome, equivalent to that of the hospital set-up if the appropriate surgical protocol is maintained and surgery is performed by an experienced ophthalmic surgeon in the western region in Nepal.
Highlights
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness globally, except in the few most developed countries, despite improvement in the cataract surgical techniques and cost-effective intervention programs [1,2]
Another study conducted in the Lumbini zone in Chitwan district of Nepal reported the prevalence of blindness of 4.6% among of ≥ 50 years old and again cataract comprised of 48% of it [4]
A total of 224 patients were selected from three surgical eye camps and 221 patients were selected from the base hospital on the first day after surgery using the inclusion and exclusion criteria that explained in one of the following sections
Summary
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness globally, except in the few most developed countries, despite improvement in the cataract surgical techniques and cost-effective intervention programs [1,2]. Cataract still remains the leading cause of blindness in Nepal. Another study conducted in the Gandaki zone of Nepal reported the prevalence of blindness (presenting VA
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
