"Stones in the eye": post cataract suture irritation--a transcultural study from Sierra Leone, West Africa

A retrospective study of 1214 outpatients in Sierra Leone, West Africa was done to answer the question, "What is the visual acuity following extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with an intraocular lens (IOL) for patients in a developing country?" Only 24% achieved uncorrected pseudophakic visual acuity of 20/20 to 20/50. Additionally, postoperative complications and patient complaints were tracked. Results showed suture irritation was less prevalent in those patients when 10-0 nylon suture was used, cut close, and the knot rotated and buried.