Influence Of Rank Of Surgeon On The Outcome Of Cataract surgery in Plateau State Nigeria.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the outcome of cataract surgery in terms of restoration of visual function in the operated eye in relation to the rank and experience of surgeons. Methodology: Four centres were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Consecutive patients, who had cataract extraction from 1^st October 2002 - 31^st March 2003, were recruited. The study instrument was a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Preoperative visual acuity (VA), type of cataract, type of surgery, official rank of surgeon, peri-operative events, postoperative events and physiological outcome were documented. Result: 200 patients were recruited. Mean age was 61.08 years. 219 eyes were operated. 101(46.1%) were operated by consultants, 51(23.3%) by resident doctors and 67(30.6%) by diplomats. Intraoperative complications were encountered in 57 (26%) eyes. Of these 15(26.3%), 16(28.1%), 26(45.6%) eyes were operated by consultants, resident doctors and diplomats respectively. Of 161 eyes re­assessed six weeks after surgery, 86(53.4%) had good outcome (VA=6/18), while 18(11.2%) had poor outcome (VA<6/60) with available correction. 56(68.3%), 18(42.9%), and 12(32.4%) eyes operated by consultants, residents, and diplomats had a good outcome with available correction respectively (p<0.001). Of 125 eyes refracted six weeks after surgery, 92(73.6%) had good outcome while 11(8.8%) had poor outcome with best correction. 65(89.1%), 16(57.1%), and 11(45.8%) eyes operated by consultants, residents and diplomats had a good outcome with best correction respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Resident doctors and diplomates encountered most of the intraoperative complications a