Cataract surgery in camp patients: a study on visual outcomes.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Public Health

Background:

• Cataract surgery is crucial for restoring vision.
• Outreach camps aim to increase surgical access for underserved populations.
• Assessing outcomes in camp settings is vital for service improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate complications and visual results of cataract surgery in patients from outreach camps.
• To determine the safety and efficacy of tertiary center-based surgery for camp patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 206 camp patients undergoing cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) implantation.
• Postoperative complications assessed on day 1 and at 1 month using Oxford Cataract Treatment and Evaluation Team (OCTET) definitions.
• Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and refractive errors evaluated at 1 month.

Main Results:

• Small incision cataract surgery (SICS) was the predominant technique (78.6%).
• Mild iridocyclitis was the most frequent Day 1 complication (26.2%); 33% had Grade I OCTET complications.
• At 4 weeks, 89.8% achieved BCVA of ±6/24; posterior capsular opacity was the main late complication. Myopia with against-the-rule astigmatism was common (86/150).

Conclusions:

• High-quality cataract surgery with good visual outcomes is achievable in camp patients treated at base hospitals.
• The findings support the expansion of screening camps to reduce the cataract backlog.
• Tertiary center-based cataract surgery offers a viable solution for improving vision in remote or underserved populations.