Eye Camps Research Articles

Distribution of Ocular Biometry and Intraocular Lens Power in Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery in an Eye Camp in Northern Pakistan

Purpose: To report ocular biometric data of patients undergoing cataract surgery in an eye camp in a city of Northern area of Pakistan. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: A surgical eye camp was set up in the month of September 2022 for 6 days in a private hospital in Skardu. Methods: A total of 119 patients were selected with a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Ocular biometry of permanent local residents with significant cataractswas included. Incomplete biometry data and coexisting diseases like corneal opacity, pterygium, and severe dry eye causing errors in biometry were excluded. Keratometry was done with an automated refractor-keratometer. Axial length was calculated with an A-scan (ultrasound contact method) and intraocular lens (IOL) power was calculated. Results: A total of 119 patients were selected for biometry among 3908 individuals visiting an eye camp. The mean axial length was 22.13 ± 1.25 SD mm. The mean keratometry readings (K1) was 43.28 ± 1.83 Diopter and (K2) 44.26 ± 1.67 D. The mean intraocular lens (IOL) power was 24.78 ± 3.43 D. The mean K readings were more in males as compared to females (p-value <0.005). There was no significant difference in axial length and IOL power among genders. Conclusion: This study gives normative data on ocular biometric parameters of patients undergoing cataract surgery at high altitudes in Skardu, Pakistan. These biometric values can be used as reference values in the local population

Ocular biometry parameters in mobile cataract surgery camp: a large-scale report from Nigeria

Background: Humanitarian missions and mobile camp surgeries have pivotal roles in cataract surgery in areas with limited resources. Ocular biometry is an important preoperative evaluation tool for cataract surgery candidates. Herein, we report the distributions of ocular biometric values among cataract surgery candidates in camp settings in southern Nigeria. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we retrieved data from consecutive patients scheduled for cataract surgery. All patients underwent a full ophthalmic examination using a slit-lamp biomicroscope. Age, sex, and preoperative biometric values, including anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), vitreous chamber depth (VCD), and axial length (AL), together with intraocular lens (IOL) power, were documented. Biometric values were obtained using A-mode ultrasonography. Results: Records of 567 patients with a mean (standard deviation) age of 66.0 (13.4) years revealed a male-to-female sex ratio of 1:1.24. Most participants were in the 66–70-year age group. Mean IOL power was significantly different between males and females (P < 0.001). However, the biometric values were comparable between sexes (all P > 0.05). There were significant differences in the mean IOL power (P < 0.001) and ACD (P < 0.05) between the age groups, indicating a decrease in ACD with age. However, the other biometric parameters were comparable between the age groups (all P > 0.05). ACD had a significant weak negative correlation with LT (r = - 0.16; P < 0.001) and IOL power (r = - 0.22; P < 0.001) and a positive correlation with AL (r = + 0.24; P < 0.001). LT had a significant weak negative correlation with VCD (r = - 0.16; P < 0.001) and a positive correlation with AL (r = + 0.09; P < 0.05). VCD had significant moderate positive and negative correlations with AL (r = + 0.39; P < 0.001) and IOL power (r = - 0.34; P < 0.001), respectively. AL had a significant strong negative correlation with IOL power (r = - 0.78; P < 0.001). Conclusions: This study presents the mean distributions of ocular biometric parameters among cataract surgery candidates in camp settings in southern Nigeria. Age and sex were important determinants of IOL power and should be considered when planning eye camp supplies. AL had a strong inverse correlation with IOL power. Further multicenter national studies are required to verify these preliminary findings.

Outcome of Cataract Surgery among Eye Camp Patients of Eastern Nepal

Background: Outreach camp is helpful for reducing the prevalence of blindness due to cataracts and refractive error. The objective was to evaluate the visual outcome of cataract surgery among camp patients operated at a high volume center of Eastern Nepal. Materials and Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study design was used. The comprehensive eye screening program was conducted and those having cataracts were referred to base hospital for cataract surgery, patients were reexamined at the base hospital again and a small incision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens was implanted at Biratnagar Eye Hospital, Biratnagar and Sagarmatha Choudhary Eye Hospital, Lahan. The pre-operative vision was taken during screening and post-operative vision was taken after one-month by performing refraction by trained personnel. Data were extracted from the hospital record; analysis was done using SPSS version 17.0. Descriptive analysis by using frequency, parent age and association was done by using Chi square test with a P-value <0.05 considered as significant. Results: A total of 1426 camp patients were operated. Among them 1113 (78%) were visited after one month post operative follow up at the campsite. There were 744 (52%) female and bilateral affected eyes were 735(52%). Pre-operative presenting visual acuity was <3/60 (37%), which was reduced to (0.2%) after one month follows up of cataract surgery. There was a significant association in pre-operative VA with aided one month to follow up VA. Conclusion: The outcome of the cataract surgery of camp patients operated at base hospitals was good in high-volume hospitals. Follow up after one month was good practice to provide services and measure the outcome of cataract surgery.

TO EVALUATE THE SELECTION PROTOCOL OF CATARACT PATIENTS ADMITTED THROUGH OUTREACH PROGRAMS (EYE CAMPS) UNDERGOING SURGERY IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER OF CENTRAL INDIA

Aim: To evaluate the selection protocol of Cataract patients admitted through outreach programs (EYE CAMPS) undergoing surgery in a tertiary care center of Central India Study design: It is a prospective descriptive study conducted on camp patients at a charitable tertiary eye care hospital (Central India) from January 2023 to june2023. Wirtten informed consent was taken from patients for participation in this study. Setting:A prospective observational study was performed of all cataract patients admitted through outreach program (EYE Camp) for small incision cataract surgery in the department of Ophthalmology, Sri Aurobindo institute of medical sciences, Indore from January 2023 to june2023. Material and Methods: During the study period 332 patients were screened ..all patients above 40 years of age having senile cataract were included and Patients with age less than 40 years of age, Congenital cataract, complicated cataracts like traumatic, uveitic, subluxated or dislocated cataracts, patients having undergone previously any ocular surgery in the selected eye, patients not giving written informed consent were excluded from the study. Results: Out of 332 camp patients 306 (92%) patients under went small incision cataract surgery and the surgeries of 26 patients (8%) were postponed, as the patients were unfit due to ocular and systemic reasons out of 26 patients, 5 patients had uncontrolled blood sugar, 7 patients had uncontrolled blood pressure, 2 patients had cardiac problems, 1 patient was asthmatic. Conclusion:In our study, increasing age and female gender were commonly associated with cataract. Most of the patients had bilateral cataract and low vision at presentation. Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus were commonly associated systemic disorders with cataract. This study highlights that high quality cataract surgery with a low intra-operative complication rate and good visual outcome can be attained even in camp patients operated in the base hospitals with standard protocols.

Reflections from a UK doctor on a philanthropic eye camp in Punjab.

Reflections from a UK doctor on a philanthropic eye camp in Punjab.

Restoring vision, restoring hope: My experience as a medical student volunteer at a mega eye camp.

Restoring vision, restoring hope: My experience as a medical student volunteer at a mega eye camp.

Lessons from an eye camp

Lessons from an eye camp

Profile of Patients Visiting a Surgical Eye Camp in Pokhara, Nepal - A Descriptive Cross Sectional Study

Profile of Patients Visiting a Surgical Eye Camp in Pokhara, Nepal - A Descriptive Cross Sectional Study

Prevalence and pattern of refractive errors among school-going children in district Baramulla, Kashmir: A cross sectional study.

Uncorrected refractive error is one of the most important causes of visual impairment worldwide. Addressing childhood vision impairment (VI) is one of the main goals of the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat blindness strategies. To ascertain the prevalence and pattern of refractive errors among children aged 10 to 16 years in Baramulla district, Kashmir. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 680 school children during an eye camp under the school health program of the national program for control of blindness. The screening was conducted in four schools in Baramulla district, Kashmir. The schools were selected using the non-probability convenient sampling technique. A total of 680 school children from classes sixth to tenth aged 10-16 years participated in the study. Out of 680 students, 545 (80%) had normal vision, 97 (14%) had impaired visual acuity ranging between 6/9 and 6/24, and 38 (6%) had severe VI ranging from 6/36 to 6/60. Among the various types of refractive errors, myopia was the most prevalent affecting 54 children. Age distribution of refractive errors showed myopia to be more prevalent in the age group 13-14 years (16, 14 cases), hypermetropia was more prevalent in the age group 14-15 years (10, 8 cases), and astigmatism 5 cases in the age group 14-15 years. The study provides useful and baseline data about the refractive error amongst the school children of the Baramulla district. A larger study needs to be conducted in all schools of the state to get a clear picture of RE and other eye-related problems to detect vision problems earlier.

An Epidemiological Study of Cataract among Elderly Patients Attending in Eye Camps Arranged by Al-Basar International Foundation in Bangladesh

Background: Cataract is a common cause of visual impairment in the elderly and the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Bangladesh is not exception of this. Though cataract treatment is available across the country but there is no nationwide strategy to prevent this disease. Therefore, this study tried to explore the distribution of this diseases among the elderly patients in Bangladesh to provide some insights about the prevention strategies of cataract. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among conveniently selected 1020 cataract patients attending in two eye camps of Bagura and Jaypurhat districts in Bangladesh. Face to face interview was taken by using a structured validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, median, and standard deviation as well as inferential analysis were used for both categorical and continuous variables with the application of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: Out of 1020 cataract patients, male and female were 53.5% and 46.5%, respectively where 69.5% were in the age group of 15-64 years. Approximately 50% of participants were illiterate and 70.6% had family history of cataract. About 42.8% of respondents had identified age as the cause of disease and almost 50.8% were suffered from 1.1 to 3 years. 39.4% had delayed in receiving treatment for having financial issues. Age and gender had statistical significant association (p<.05) with the cataract. Conclusion: Age and gender based prevention strategies should be planned and implemented as cataract is found to be prevalent on these variables in this study.

A study establishing sensitivity and accuracy of smartphone photography in ophthalmologic community outreach programs: Review of a smart eye camera.

Diseases affecting the cornea are a major cause of corneal blindness globally. The pressing issue we are facing today is the lack of diagnostic devices in rural areas to diagnose these conditions. The aim of the study is to establish sensitivity and accuracy of smartphone photography using a smart eye camera (SEC) in ophthalmologic community outreach programs. In this pilot study, a prospective non-randomized comparative analysis of inter-observer variability of anterior segment imaging recorded using an SEC was performed. Consecutive 100 patients with corneal pathologies, who visited the cornea specialty outpatient clinic, were enrolled. They were examined with a conventional non-portable slit lamp by a cornea consultant, and the diagnoses were recorded. This was compared with the diagnoses made by two other consultants based on SEC videos of the anterior segment of the same 100 patients. The accuracy of SEC was accessed using sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV. Kappa statistics was used to find the agreement between two consultants by using STATA 17.0 (Texas, USA). There was agreement between the two consultants to diagnosing by using SEC. Above 90% agreements were found in all the diagnoses, which were statistically significant (P-value < 0.001). More than 90% sensitivity and a negative predictive value were found. SEC can be used successfully in the community outreach programs like field visits, eye camps, teleophthalmology, and community centers, where either a clinical setup is lacking or ophthalmologists are not available.

Prevalence of ocular manifestations and related morbidity in severely malnourished children in a tertiary eye care center

Abstract Background: Ocular involvement is relatively common in malnourished children, and the consequences of malnutrition on the eye are frequently more severe during the formative years of life. This is a significant cause of avoidable blindness that has to be addressed with affordable methods. This study aims to determine the nature, extent, and seriousness of ocular manifestations in malnourished children and to evaluate the current prevalence given improving nutritional parameters through increased public awareness, education, and knowledge of vaccination and nutrition. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in the department of ophthalmology of a tertiary eye care center for 1 year. Eye camps were held close by in urban shantytowns. We considered 518 kids between the ages of 6 months and 5 years who lived in those slums. The patient was subjected to a general, systemic, and ocular examination, including a vision and fundus examination. Results: A total of 100 children aged 6 months and 5 years (60 months) who were severely critically malnourished were enrolled and given an eye examination. In this study, 72% of very acutely malnourished children had ocular involvement. Conjunctival pallor was the most general observation in the anterior segment in 179 of the eyes (71.5% of the eyes). Retinal hemorrhage was the most pervasive posterior segment findings in 19 eyes (36.8%). Conclusion: This study is aimed to determine how frequently ocular symptoms occurred in malnourished children who visited tertiary eye care facilities. A vital target population that requires comprehensive screening to avoid vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and detect eye problems early is preschoolers. Every child should also receive an immunization and vitamin A prophylaxis. Low socioeconomic position, illiterate parents, and inadequate sanitation were determined to be the key risk factors for VAD.

Diabetic Retinopathy and Associated Risk Factors Among Diabetic Patients Attending Eye Camps In Northern Bangladesh

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of vision loss which occurs as a result of microvascular complication of diabetes. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence and factors associated with development of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients attending eye camps in a diabetic hospital of northern Bangladesh. Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study, conducted through five comprehensive eye camps at diabetic association hospital in Nilphamari, Bangladesh. Previously diagnosed patients with Diabetes Mellitus attending eye camps were the sample of this study which included a total of 254 participants. All participants underwent complete eye examination to check for any signs of DR with any other ocular abnormalities. Retinopathy was determined by fundus photography and direct ophthalmoscopy. Participants were also interviewed and examined to determine their demographic characteristics, clinical conditions, awareness on diabetic retinopathy and regularity of their eye visits. Results: A total of 254 subjects were screened for diabetic retinopathy. Of them, 64 (25.2%) had diabetic retinopathy including, including 53 (20.9%) with non-proliferative retinopathy (NPDR) and 11 (4.3%) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Clinically significant macular edema (CSME) was detected in 7 patients (2.7%). The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was higher among patients with greater duration of diabetes (p=&lt; 0.001), poor glycemic control (p=0.002) and presence of hypertension (p=0.05). Conclusion: Regular screening in patients with diabetes for early detection of diabetic retinopathy by effective screening program and increasing public awareness are highly recommended in Bangladesh. JOPSOM 2021; 40(2):16-25

Strategies for cataract and uncorrected refractive error case finding in India: Costs and cost-effectiveness at scale.

India has the largest number of individuals suffering from visual impairment and blindness in the world. Recent surveys indicate that demand-based factors prevent more than 80% of people from seeking appropriate eye services, suggesting the need to scale up cost-effective case finding strategies. We assessed total costs and cost-effectiveness of multiple strategies to identify and encourage people to initiate corrective eye services. Using administrative and financial data from six Indian eye health providers, we conduct a retrospective micro-costing analysis of five case finding interventions that covered 1·4 million people served at primary eye care facilities (vision centers), 330,000 children screened at school, 310,000 people screened at eye camps and 290,000 people screened via door-to-door campaigns over one year. For four interventions, we estimate total provider costs, provider costs attributable to case finding and treatment initiation for uncorrected refractive error (URE) and cataracts, and the societal cost per DALY averted. We also estimate provider costs of deploying teleophthalmology capability within vision centers. Point estimates were calculated from provided data with confidence intervals determined by varying parameters probabilistically across 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations. Case finding and treatment initiation costs are lowest for eye camps (URE: $8·0 per case, 95% CI: 3·4-14·4; cataracts: $13·7 per case, 95% CI: 5·6-27·0) and vision centers (URE: $10·8 per case, 95% CI: 8·0-14·4; cataracts: $11·9 per case, 95% CI: 8·8-15·9). Door-to-door screening is as cost-effective for identifying and encouraging surgery for cataracts albeit with large uncertainty ($11·3 per case, 95% CI: 2·2 to 56·2), and more costly for initiating spectacles for URE ($25·8 per case, 95% CI: 24·1 to 30·7). School screening has the highest case finding and treatment initiation costs for URE ($29·3 per case, 95% CI: 15·5 to 49·6) due to the lower prevalence of eye problems in school aged children. The annualized cost of operating a vision center, excluding procurement of spectacles, is estimated at $11,707 (95% CI: 8,722-15,492). Adding teleophthalmology capability increases annualized costs by $1,271 per facility (95% CI: 181 to 3,340). Compared to baseline care, eye camps have an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $143 per DALY (95% CI: 93-251). Vision centers have an ICER of $262 per DALY (95% CI: 175-431) and were able to reach substantially more patients than any other strategy. Policy makers are expected to consider cost-effective case finding strategies when budgeting for eye health in India. Screening camps and vision centers are the most cost-effective strategies for identifying and encouraging individuals to undertake corrective eye services, with vision centers likely to be most cost-effective at greater scale. Investment in eye health continues to be very cost-effective in India. The study was funded by the Seva Foundation.

Socio-economic and Cultural Impact of Sufi Shrines: A Case Study of Mitthan Kot

Sufi shrines are in large number in Pakistan with having a colossal impact on economic, cultural and social aspects. In the rural areas of Pakistan, mostly people are poor and less educated or uneducated with strong belief and devotion to Sajjada Nasheen. In this context, this study essentially aims to investigate the socio-economic and cultural influence of Sufi shrines in the rural areas of Mitthan Kot (upper Indus basin). This study follows the qualitative research strategy by employing in-depth interviews from different stakeholders. Thematic analysis has been used to analyze the data. The findings of the study also manifest that the local community is closely inter-connected with shrines encompassing different facets. A large chunk of rural population in the proximity of shrines is entirely dependents on shrines for their earnings and engaged in jobs like garments shops, catering services, transportation system etc. All of these employment activities boost up the local economy as well as the national economy. In the same fashion, people also enjoy cultural festivals like Urs and Mela which is a great source of spiritual happiness and entertainment. Besides all of this, various medical facilities like free eye camp and literacy conventions also play a vital role in the betterment of poor people. So there is a dire need for further development, improvement and regulation in the functioning of shrines and money generation thereof for proper incorporation in national economy.

Awareness and attitude towards eye donation among rural population

Voluntary eye donation especially among rural areas is less and is associated with lot of myths and gaps in the knowledge.Aim of the study was to assess the awareness and attitude towards eye donation among rural population. : Cross-sectional observational study conducted from November 2019 to February 2020, in OPD and eye camps. After written informed consent, self-designed questionnaire in the regional language with dichotomous closed ended questions was given.: Of 400 people, 47(11.75%) knew only front of the eye can be donated.301 (75.25%) were aware that eye can be donated only after death. 253 (63.25%) mentioned that there is no age limit for eye donation. 298 (74.5%) knew diabetics could donate eyes. Majority of them had no idea about eye donation in infectious diseases such as HIV, HbsAg and were unaware as to who can give consent (111-27.75%), and place of retrieval of the eye 93(23.25%). 92(23%) answered eye should be donated within 6 hours after death. 29 (7.25%) answered that donated eyes can be used in the treatment of corneal disease. 164 (41%) were willing to donate eyes out of which nobility was the major reason for 104 (64%). 236 (59%) were not willing for donation due to fear of disfigurement.: In our results we observed that awareness for eye donation is less among people of community and majority of them were unwilling to donate eyes. Hence, extensive awareness programs can change the attitude towards eye donation and motivate people to donate eyes. Community awareness is the major chain link for the success of eye donation for corneal transplantation.

Measuring equity of access to eye health outreach camps in rural Malawi.

IntroductionEquity in the access and use of health services is critical if countries are to make progress towards universal health coverage and address the systematic exclusion of the most vulnerable groups. The purpose of this study was to assess if the Co-ordinated Approach To Community Health programme implemented by Sightsavers was successful in reaching the poorest population, women, and people living with disabilities in Kasungu district, Malawi.MethodsBetween April and September 2017, data on socio-economic status, household characteristics and functional disability were collected from patients attending at eye camps in Kasungu district, Malawi. Using asset-based tools to measure household wealth (EquityTool© and Simple Poverty Scorecard©) and the Washington Group Short Set of Questions, individuals were categorised by wealth quintiles, poverty status, and functional disability status and then compared to relevant representative national household surveys. In addition, a follow-up household survey was conducted to check the validity of self-reported household characteristics at eye camps.ResultsA total of 1,358 individuals participated in the study. The study shows that self-reported data on household characteristics and assets are reliable and can be collected in clinical settings (instead of relying on direct observations of assets). Individuals attending outreach camps were poorer in terms of relative wealth and absolute poverty rates compared to the rest of the population in Kasungu. It was estimated that 9% of the participants belonged to the poorest quintile compared to 4% for the population in Kasungu (DHS 2015–2016). The ultra-poverty rate was also lower among respondents (13%) compared to 15% for Kasungu district (IHS 2017). The functional disability rate was 27.5% for study participants, and statistically higher than the general population (5.6%, SENTIF 2017). Even though women are more at risks than men, 54% of the participants were men.ConclusionsOur study shows that existing tools can be reliably used, and combined, if based on recent population data, to assess equity of access to health services for vulnerable groups of the population. The findings suggest that the programme was successful in reaching the poorest people of the Kasungu district population as well as those with disabilities through outreach camps but that more men than women were reach through the programme. Subsequently, our study showed that self-reported household characteristics are a reliable method to measure asset-based wealth of camps’ attendee. However, it is essential to use sub-national data (district or regional level) from recent surveys for the purpose of benchmarking in order to produce accurate results.

Hepatitis C Prevalence in Patients Attending a Free Cataract Surgery Camp in Paharpur DI Khan

Hepatitis C is a major public health concern in developing countries. Early research has shown that the prevalence of HCV is extremely high. This has raised questions regarding how preventive measures will be distributed and implemented in the future on a larger scale. The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Hepatitis C in people who were getting cataract surgery at a free eye camp as a potential occupational hazard for healthcare workers. Taking place from the 15th to the 18th of October 2021 in the city of Paharpur, DI Khan, a free eye camp was hosted at the Welfare Hospital. In the study, all the patients who were scheduled for cataract surgery were included. For the screening of these patients for antibodies to Hepatitis C, the Kit Method was utilised. All the information was recorded using a methodical proforma that was followed. The data was analysed to estimate the average age, gender distribution, and prevalence of Hepatitis C in the population. A total of 106 patients scheduled for cataract surgery were tested for hepatitis C. The results were negative. A total of 36 (34 percent) of the patients tested positive for Hepatitis C, with the average age being 61 years old. A basic infection control protocol must be always maintained, even if free eye camps are a fantastic activity for restoring sight to the visually impaired. The development and implementation of legal protocols for these camps should be the responsibility of the government. In addition to posing a concern for the public, this also poses a threat to health-care workers.

Incidence of Diabetic Retinopathy Amongst Persons who Screened Positive for Diabetes in five Neighborhood Eye Camps in Northern Multan Pakistan

Aim: Lack of community data on diabetes-related blindness in Pakistan. In five neighborhood eye camps in northern Multan, Pakistan, we assessed the incidence of diabetic retinopathy amongst persons who screened positive for diabetes. Methods: In Multan, Pakistan's largest metropolis, five community-based eye camps were created in the May of 2021. Study participants had to be at least 32 years of age. They were tested for diabetes and go to an eye doctor for assessment of their diabetic retinopathy. We identified five eye clinics in Pakistan's largest metropolis, Multan, between May 2020 and April 2021 in Multan eye Hospital. All respondents were required to give verbal informed permission at the time of the assessment. It was determined that diabetic retinopathy was the most important outcome measure, which was classified into no proliferative, serious NPDR, and diabetic nephropathy retinopathy. It must have been predicated on a patient assessment. Results: There were 925 people tested for diabetes. 18% had diabetes: 2.9% had type I and 16.8% had type II. There were 138 individuals who went to the hospital for an ophthalmological checkup. Diabetic Retinopathy was found in 16.8% of the patients. There was a higher increase of diabetic retinopathy among persons with type I diabetes, those who had been diabetic for longer periods of time, and women. One of the most prevalent types of diabetes. Maculopathy (18.7 percent) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy were the two most prevalent forms of diabetic retinopathy, respectively (6.8 percent). Conclusion: We need more systematic study and population-based studies to establish the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy in Pakistan and the potential things that affect to it. Keywords: Diabetic Retinopathy, Screened Positive for Diabetes, Northern Multan Pakistan.

Outcome of Cataract Surgery at Secondary Eye Care Facility in Karachi

Purpose: To find out visual outcome of cataract surgery at secondary eye care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Study Design: Surgical audit. Place and Duration of study: Al-Baseer Eye Hospital, Karachi from January 2019 to January 2021. Methods: A total of 1540 cataract surgeries were performed. Patients referred from distant eye camps (outside of city limits) were not included. Data collection was done using hospital medical records on patient’s age, sex, pre-operative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), surgical complications, visual acuity(VA) at 1st post-operative day, 1, 3 and 4 – 16 post-operative weeks, BCVA at 4 – 16 post-operative weeks and causes of poor visual outcome (BCVA worse than 6/60) at 4 – 16 post–operative weeks. For data analysis, IBM SPSS Statistics 23 was used. Results: Out of 1540 cataract surgeries, 81% (1248) cases underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Mean age at the time of surgery was 56.24 ± 11.45 years. Males were 54.9% (845) while 45.1% (695) were females. Rate of intraoperative complications was 0.9% (14 cases). Posterior capsule rupture occurred in 0.8% (13 cases), and zonular disinsertion in 0.1% (1 case). At 4 – 16 weeks post-operatively, follow–up rate was 53.8% (828 patients); and the percentages of patients with good, borderline and poor BCVA were 94.7% (784 cases), 2.3% (19 cases), and 3.0% (25 cases) respectively. Conclusion: Good visual outcome can be obtained after cataract surgery at a secondary eye hospital, provided the surgeons and operating room team are trained, well equipped and follow aseptic measures. Key Words: Phacoemulsification, Cataract, Posterior capsule, Blindness.