Outcome of Age Related Cataract Surgery at Mbingo Baptist Hospital Eye Unit, North West Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Objective: The overall objective was to assess the outcome of age related cataract surgery at Mbingo Baptist Hospital, Eye Unit, North West Region, Cameroon from the 1st January 2014 till 31st of December 2014 Methods: This was a retrospective hospital based case series conducted at Mbingo Baptist Hospital, Eye Unit, North West Region, Cameroon. Data was abstracted from files of patients 40 years old and above, who had undergone cataract surgery for age related cataract. The data was captured using a data collection tool and analyzed using STATA Version 20.0. Descriptive and univariate analysis was carried out. Results: Of the 230 files analyzed 82.2 % of eyes were blind and 3.5 % had severe visual impairment preoperatively. The uncorrected visual acuity was 6/18 or better in 2.3% eyes on day one and improved to 10.2 % eyes at 4-6 weeks. The uncorrected visual acuity was less than 6/60 in 30.3 % of eyes on day one and reduced to 20.4% eyes at 4-6weeks.Only 6% of the eyes had refraction done. All the eyes had biometry done. Intraoperative complication rate was 13% with vitreous loss accounting for 4.3%. At 4-6 weeks post-operatively the major cause of poor outcome was ocular comorbidity and found to be statistically significant (p-value 0.040). Conclusion: Uncorrected visual acuity at 4-6 weeks was below the WHO bench mark and ocular comorbidity was a major cause of poor outcome. Recommendations: Provide a wide variety of IOL powers and refraction should be made as a rule for all patients with provision of affordable spectacles for those with refractive errors. Device ways to improve patient follow up.