Abandoned Cataract Surgeries: An Analysis of Surgical Referrals to a Tertiary Eye Center

This study aims to analyze the outcomes of cases of abandoned cataract surgeries referred to a tertiary eye center.

This retrospective observational case series includes eleven cases referred to a tertiary eye center following abandoned cataract surgeries. The preoperative factors, intraoperative management, and postoperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

The mean age of presentation was 56.8 ± 13.7 years, and the median time from the primary surgery to presentation at the tertiary eye center was four days (range: two hours to four weeks). There was an association with hypermature cataracts in 36.3% (4/11) of cases, diabetes in 36.3% (4/11) of cases, and pseudo-exfoliation syndrome in 18.2% (2/11) of cases. The primary cataract surgery was aborted after making an incision and without initiating capsulorhexis in 45.5% (5/11) of cases. Descemet's membrane detachment and corneal edema were present in nearly half (45.5%) of the cases.

A thorough preoperative assessment, early identification of intraoperative complications, timely referral by the primary surgeon, and appropriate and prompt intervention by the second surgeon are essential for improving visual outcomes.