Visual outcome and complications of small-incision cataract surgery

Small-incision cataract surgery (SICS) is a commonly performed procedure in developing countries. It does not require expensive machines and can be safely done in high-volume centers also yielding good visual outcomes in the majority of patients. The objective of our study was to assess visual outcomes after SICS conducted at a tertiary care center in South Gujarat and also assessment of various complications responsible for poor visual outcomes.

Three hundred and fifteen cataract patients were included in the study. An assessment of intraoperative and postoperative complications was done. Postoperative visual acuity assessment was done and compared with preoperative visual acuity of the patient and factors responsible for poor visual outcomes were assessed. A follow-up examination was done on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30.

The mean age group of patients was 59.3 years. Females were slightly more (53.3%) in number as compared to males. The most common surgical complication encountered were striate keratopathy (6.35%), followed by iris damage (5.71%), posterior capsular rent (PCR) with vitreous loss (3.14%), hypotony (0.63%), intraocular lens decentration (0.63%), surgery-induced astigmatism (0.63%), choroidal detachment (0.32%), endophthalmitis (0.32%), and hyphema (0.32%). About 95.87% of patients had vision better than 6/18. Complications associated with poor visual outcome (<6/18) were PCR, endophthalmitis, choroidal detachment, and surgical-induced astigmatism.

Although SICS can have a significant chance of complications, good visual outcomes can be attained in the majority of patients.