Rajendra Kumar Behera, Sanjukta Mahapatro, B. N. R. Subudhi, Suchitra Dash
BACKGROUND Cataract is the principal cause of blindness in India accounting for 62.6%. This problem can be tackled, and the backlog of cataract blind can be reduced by large scale cataract operations in reach in camps at Base Hospital approach for good visual outcome with lesser complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this retrospective study, 2400 cataract patients with vision less than 6/60 underwent uncomplicated sutureless small incision cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. Postoperative complication and visual acuity was recorded. RESULTS The most common operative complications were Descemet detachment (0.75%), posterior capsule rent with IOL implant (0.58%) and premature entry (0.25%). Immediate postoperative complications were mainly corneal oedema (1.16%), severe iritis (1.5%) and hyphema (0.5%). Late postoperative complications were iritis (0.69%), persistent corneal oedema (0.43%) and papillary capture (0.17%). Majority (48.71%) had visual acuity 6/9 on first followup in 45th day followed by visual acuity of 6/12 on 38.44% of cases. 71.23% of cases had astigmatism below -1.5 D cylinder at 90 degrees. CONCLUSION The overall vision-threatening complications after cataract surgery in the Base Hospital are low. Our study reflects the efficacy of Base Hospital approach in terms of visual and surgical outcome as an important aspect from the public health point of view, which can help in clearing the cataract backlog in developing countries like India.
