Br J Ophthalmol 1999;83:897-901
( August )
Audit of extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber
lens implantation as a routine treatment for age related cataract in
east Africa
David Yorstona, Allen Fosterb
a Kikuyu Hospital,
Kenya, b London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, London
Correspondence to: Dr Allen Foster, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel
Street, London WC1E 7HT.
Accepted for publication 22 March 1999
AIMS
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.
METHODSA
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.
RESULTSA 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.
CONCLUSIONECCE 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.
© 1999 by British Journal of Ophthalmology
