Outcome and benefits of small incision cataract surgery in Jos, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Cataract is the most common cause of blindness and cataract surgery is a common procedure. There is a need for a low cost, safe and effective form of cataract surgery for the developing world. This study reports the outcome of small incision cataract surgery in a developing country.


METHODS
Eyes without coexisting ocular disease but with mature cataracts were operated upon. Small incision cataract surgery technique was used and patients were prospectively followed up. The procedure involved whole nucleus delivery through a sclerocorneal tunnel wound and insertion of a posterior chamber lens. Eyes examined at five days and six weeks after surgery are reported on for uncorrected visual acuity, complications of surgery and causes of poor outcome where applicable.


RESULTS
Seventy-one eyes were included in this study. Uncorrected visual acuity at five days postop was good in 31 (43.7%) eyes and 49 (69.0%) eyes after six weeks of surgery. Six weeks postop, four (5.6%) eyes had poor outcome. The most common intraoperative complication was rupture of the posterior capsule while retinal lesions were the most common cause of poor visual outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Small incision cataract surgery offers faster visual recovery, is cost effective and has the prospects for increasing the uptake of cataract surgery in a developing country.
Mpyet
C
C
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Jos Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. mpyetc@yahoo.com
Langnap
L
L
Akpan
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity