Comparative Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Manual Small-Incision Cataract Surgery Versus...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Innovation
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Cataract surgery is a common procedure to restore vision.
• Phacoemulsification (Phaco) and manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) are prevalent surgical techniques.
• Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are crucial for evaluating surgical success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare patient-reported outcomes using the Catquest Questionnaire between Phaco and MSICS.
• To assess visual acuity and functional vision improvements after cataract surgery.
• To evaluate patient satisfaction with different cataract surgery methods.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 81 patients (aged ≥40) with nuclear sclerosis grade 3+ cataracts.
• Patients underwent either Phaco (40) or MSICS (41) by the same surgeon, with monofocal intraocular lens implantation.
• Catquest Questionnaire administered preoperatively and six weeks postoperatively, validated in the Odia language.

Main Results:

• Both Phaco and MSICS demonstrated significant improvements in visual acuity (p<0.001).
• Near vision improved significantly, with most patients achieving N6-N8, except for one Phaco patient with AMD.
• MSICS group reported better outcomes in specific areas like hobbies, needlework, and overall vision satisfaction compared to Phaco.

Conclusions:

• Cataract surgery, regardless of technique, enhances vision-specific functioning and quality of life.
• MSICS offers advantages in speed, cost-effectiveness, and lower technology dependence, particularly for certain cataract types and high-volume surgeries.
• The optimal choice between MSICS and Phaco depends on individual patient needs, surgeon expertise, and available resources.