Monitoring cataract surgical outcome in a Nigerian mission hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the visual outcome of cataract operations in a Nigerian mission hospital.


METHODS
The computer system cataract surgery record forms were used to collect data on the first 100 consecutive cataract surgeries performed in January and part of February 2003 at a Nigerian mission hospital, Mercy Eye Centre, Abak.


RESULTS
There were 54 males and 30 females (100 eyes). Sixteen patients had bilateral cataract. The mean age was 58.45 years (SD 13.58). Four patients were hypertensive, 3 diabetic, 2 both hypertensive and diabetic; and also 2 both hypertensive and asthmatic. Four patients had post-uveitic cataract, 3 traumatic cataract, 1 subluxated cataract not related to trauma and the rest had age-related cataract. One patient each had age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. Only 42 patients (49 eyes) kept with their follow-up visits until 12 weeks post-operatively. Among these, pin hole or corrected visual acuity of 6/6-6/18 was achieved in 35.4%, <6/18-6/60 in 50%, and <6/60 in 14.6%. Almost half of those with poor outcome were attributed to inappropriate selection.


CONCLUSIONS
The main cause of poor visual outcome in our centre is unsuspected co-morbidity. In spite of this, there is potential for good quality cataract surgery in Africa. As we pay more attention to appropriate patient selection we expect our outcome to improve. Provision of facilities for biometry would also be a great help in this direction.
Ezegwui
Ifeoma Regina
IR
Department of Ophthalmology, Enugu State University of Science & Technology Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria. uzoegwui@yahoo.co.uk
Ajewole
Joseph
J
D002386:Cataract / Q000503:physiopathology; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D016519:Hospitals, Religious; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D008921:Religious Missions; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*