Waseem Raja, Mohd. Ayaz Bhat, Mahrukh
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the results of phaco-emulsification cataract surgery and manual small-incision cataract surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective randomized controlled trial was carried out involving 20 patients with cataract for MSICS and 20 patients with cataract selected for phacoemulsification. RESULTS Total of 40 patients were included in the study, 20 patients for MSICS and 20 for phacoemulsification. Both surgical techniques achieved excellent visual outcomes with low complication rates. The initial visual recovery on the first postoperative day was better in the patients who underwent phacoemulsification, with the uncorrected visual acuity better than or equal to 6/18 in 75% of the patients, whereas the percentage was 60% in the MSICS group. The initial difference was nearly equalized within 4 weeks. At the sixth month, 85% of the patients in the MSICS group had uncorrected visual acuity better than or equal to 6/18 versus 90% of the patients in the phacoemulsification group. CONCLUSION Doing SICS was easier as there was no machine dependence and had fewer financial implications. Almost every cataract can be operated irrespective of pupil diameter, exfoliation, subluxation etc. There was no significant difference in visual outcome on first postoperative day in between phacoemulsification and SICS technique.
