Audit of extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation as a routine treatment for age related cataract in east Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcome of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation (PC-IOL) in an African eye clinic during the transition from intracapsular cataract extraction to ECCE and PC-IOL.


METHODS
A retrospective survey of 461 consecutive operations for age related cataract with a mean follow up of 52.9 weeks (range 0-275) and a minimum follow up of 4 weeks in 87.9% of eyes.


RESULTS
A best corrected vision of 6/18 or better was obtained in 94.3% of eyes, and an uncorrected vision of 6/18 or better in 78.2% of eyes. Six eyes (1.5%) had a best corrected vision of less than 6/60. The visual acuity at 2 months was strongly predictive of the vision at 1 year or more after surgery. Preoperative biometry and IOL power calculation increased the proportion of eyes obtaining an uncorrected vision of 6/18 or better from 73.8% to 81.3%. Four eyes developed visually significant posterior capsule opacity.


CONCLUSIONS
ECCE and PC-IOL can give very good results in an African setting. A better visual outcome should lead to increased demand for cataract surgery, which will eventually reduce the number of cataract blind people in Africa.
Kikuyu Hospital, Kenya.
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D
Yorston
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Foster
D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology