This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Venkatesh, R Articles by Prajna, N V. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Venkatesh, R Articles by Prajna, N V. Topic Collections Relevant Articles

Outcomes of high volume cataract surgeries in a developing country

¹ Aravind Eye Hospital, 1 Anna Nagar, Madurai-625 020 Tamil Nadu, India
² Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology, 72, Kuruvikaran Salai, Gandhi Nagar, Madurai-625 020 Tamil Nadu, India
³ Eye Care and Surgery Center of Fort Lauderdale, 1110 SE 4th Street, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301, USA

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Linda Civerchia Balent
MD, Eye Care and Surgery Center of Fort Lauderdale, 1110 SE 4th Street, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301, USA; dralvan{at}msn.com

ABSTRACT
Aim: To analyse the outcome of high volume cataract surgery in a developing country, community based, high volume eye hospital.

Methods: In a non-comparative interventional case series, the authors reviewed the surgical outcomes of 593 patients with cataract operated upon by three high volume surgeons on six randomly selected days. There were 318 female (54%) and 275 male (46%) patients. Their mean age was 59.57 (SD 10.13) years. The majority of the patients underwent manual small incision cataract surgery (manual SICS). Extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens (ECCE-PCIOL) and intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE) were also done on a few patients as clinically indicated.

Results: Best corrected visual acuity of 6/18 was achieved in 94% of the 520 patients who could be followed up on the 40th postoperative day (88% follow up rate). Intraoperative and immediate postoperative complications as defined by OCTET occurred in 11 (1.9%) and 75 (12.6%) patients, respectively. Average surgical time of 3.75 minutes per case (16–18 cases per hour) was achieved. Statistically significant risk factors for outcomes were found to be age >60, sex, and surgeon.

Conclusion: High volume surgery using appropriate techniques and standardised protocols does not compromise quality of outcomes.

Abbreviations: BCVA, best corrected visual acuity; deff, design effects; ECCE, extracapsular cataract extraction; ICCE, intracapsular cataract extraction; OCTET, Oxford Cataract Treatment Evaluation Team; PCIOL, posterior chamber intraocular lens; PL, perception of light; SICS, small incision cataract surgery; UCVA, uncorrected visual acuity

Keywords: cataract surgery; developing country

Relevant Articles

Tackling the greatest challenge in cataract surgery

D F Chang
Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2005 89: 1073-1077. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Bourne, B. Dineen, Z. Jadoon, P. S Lee, A. Khan, G. J Johnson, A. Foster, and D. Khan Outcomes of cataract surgery in Pakistan: results from The Pakistan National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey Br. J. Ophthalmol., April 1, 2007; 91(4): 420 - 426. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Tabin Safety and efficacy of manual small incision cataract surgery for phacolytic glaucoma Br. J. Ophthalmol., March 1, 2007; 91(3): 269 - 270. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Venkatesh, C. S H Tan, T. T. Kumar, and R. D Ravindran Safety and efficacy of manual small incision cataract surgery for phacolytic glaucoma Br. J. Ophthalmol., March 1, 2007; 91(3): 279 - 281. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]