Outcome of day-care surgery for age-related cataracts, garissa general hospital, Kenya

Abstract

To determine the outcome of surgeries for age related cataracts at Garissa Provincial General Hospital for the last four months of year 2008. Design: Retrospective record review Setting: Eye clinic, Garissa Provincial General Hospital Methods: Records for 182 surgeries for age related cataracts were retrieved and analysed retrospectively. Results: A total of 182 surgeries were reviewed, 81 (44.5%) were male patients and 101 (55.5%) were female patients. The average age for the patients undergoing the cataract surgeries was 67 years( SD 11.2). All operated eyes had a vision of 6/60 or worse before surgery. Fifty four patients (29.4%) were blind before surgery and 56 operated eyes (30.8%) had significant ocular co-morbidity. One month after surgery, 124 patients (68%) turned up for review and 87 (70.2%) had a good outcome, 24(19.4%) moderate and 13(10.5%) poor outcome after refraction/pinhole. Causes of poor outcome included ocular co-morbidity (7 patients), surgical complications (4 patients) and post-operative complications (2 patients). The visual recovery rate for the blind patients was 81%. Those with good vision one month after surgery increased from 74 (59.7%) to 87(70.2%) after refraction underscoring the need for routine biometry. Conclusion: The outcome was below the WHO recommendation of at least 90% of operated eyes attaining good best corrected vision after surgery. Recommendation: Patient selection, good management of surgical complications and proper biometry are needed to improve on the outcome of cataract surgery at Garissa Hospital