Clinical Outcomes of Surgery for Age-related Cataract with Intraocular Lens Implantation in Two Hospitals in North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to assess the post-operative presenting visual acuity (PVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from six weeks and above post-surgery, of patients operated for age-related cataract with biometry-calculated IOL power and available IOL power implantation, in two hospitals in Jos, Nigeria. Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: Eye units of two mission Hospitals in Jos namely; Bingham University Teaching Hospital and the Faith Alive foundation Hospital, between June and August 2021. Methodology: Patients aged 40 years and above, who had undergone surgery for age-related cataract in the preceding 18 months in two hospitals in Jos and were six weeks or more post surgery were consecutively enrolled into the study, after obtaining informed consent. Socio demographic data and surgical history were obtained from patients and their surgical records. The PVA and BCVA were assessed and categorized based on World Health Organization guidelines. Results: A total of 87 patients were examined within the study period. Post-operative PVA was good (≥6/18) in 32 (36.8%), borderline (<6/18-6/60) in 41 (47.1%) and poor (<6/60) in 14 (16.1%) participants. After refraction, the proportion of good outcomes increased to 78.2% with only 8.1% of outcomes remaining poor. Biometry-calculated IOL power and available IOL power use did not significantly influence visual outcome (P=.645 and P=.146 for PVA and BCVA respectively). Conclusion: Majority of participants had post-operative PVA in the borderline category with residual uncorrected refractive error as the principal cause. Regardless of the IOL power implanted, surgery for age-related cataract enhanced patients’ vision. This study has shown that the presence of biometry is a guarantee of refractive success. Hence, refractive outcome audits are essential.