Evaluation of the Outcome of ECCE Surgery with PC-IOL at Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate all extracapsuler cataract extractions with PC-IOL done at St. Mary's Catholic Eye Hospital between October 1998 and October 1999.

Materials and Methods: The case records of all patients who had extra-capsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with posterior chamber intra lens (PC-IOL) insertion between October 1998 and October1999 were reviewed retrospectively to determine complication rate and outcome of surgery.

Results: 61 ECCE with PC-IOL surgeries were done in 55 patients. 35 (63.6%) were males and 20 (36.4%) were females, 49 (89.1%) had unilateral surgery. The youngest age was 9 years and the oldest was 90years. Intra-operative complications occurred in 8 cases (13.1%) and consisted of posterior capsule rent 3 (4.9%), Iridodialysis, 1 (1.6%) Iris tear 2, (3.3%) and hyphema 3 (4.9%). The post-operative complications included striae Keratitis 6 (9.8%), posterior capsule opacity 2 (3.3%), raised intra-ocular pressure 10 (16.4%), uveitis 10, (16.4%) irregular pupil6, (9.8%) hyphema 4, (6.6%) and endophthalmitis 3 (4.9%). The uncorrected visual acuity improved to better than 6/18 in 28 (45.9%) of the operated eyes. There was improvement in visual acuity (better than 6/18) after refraction in 40 of 43 eyes that were refracted. Post-operative residual astigmatism was minimal in most cases.

Conclusion: ECCE with IOL is an excellent method of curing cataract Blindness but there is need for the use of A-scan biometry and Keratometry to determine the power of the inserted IOL as well as preventive measures against endophthalmitis for better results.

Nigerian Journal of Ophthalmology Vol. 9, No.1 (August 2001): pp 32-36

KEY WORDS: Cataract, intra-ocular lens, visual acuity, astigmatism.