Evaluation of surgical outcomes and associated factors in cataracts secondary to blunt trauma

To evaluate the postoperative visual and refractive outcomes of cataract surgery following blunt ocular trauma over a ten-year period and to investigate the impact of timing of surgical intervention, and preoperative clinical findings on the final visual prognosis.

This study included 92 patients who underwent cataract surgery secondary to blunt ocular trauma at a single-center tertiary care hospital between January 2015 and January 2025. Demographic characteristics, cataract types, lens status, timing of surgery, preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent (SE), associated ocular findings, surgical complications, and same-session intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were analyzed.

The mean age of the patients was 54.7 ± 18.4 years, and 66.3% were male. The most common cataract types were mature cataract (50%) and cortical cataract (28.3%). Mean preoperative BCVA improved significantly to a mean best-achieved postoperative BCVA of 0.39 ± 0.50 logMAR. The mean postoperative spherical equivalent was - 1.11 ± 2.02 D. Complications were observed in 29.3% of patients intraoperatively and 35.9% postoperatively. No statistically significant associations were found between postoperative BCVA, SE, or astigmatism and lens status, cataract type, iris integrity, or timing of IOL implantation (p > 0.05).

Cataract surgery secondary to blunt ocular trauma can result in significant visual improvement when appropriately managed; however, the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications remains considerable. Therefore, individualized surgical planning is essential for optimizing outcomes in these patients.