Complications of Cataract Surgery at the University Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: To find out the complications of cataract extraction and their effect on visual outcome at the University Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria Materials and methods: Three hundred and seventy eyes (370) that had cataract extraction at University of Benin Teaching Hospital from July 2007 to December 2008 constitute the study subjects. Their case notes were retrieved and data including operative complications analysed. The commonest type of surgery was extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implant. The follow up period was six months. Results: There were 181 males and 189 females with a male to female ratio of 1:1. The age range was 4 to 95 years ( mean age 41.1 years). There was no intraoperative complication in 311 (84.0%) eyes. The commonest intraoperative complication was posterior capsular rent in 31 (8.4%) eyes. The commonest early post operative complication was striate keratopathy in 158 eyes. Endophthalmitis occurred in 2(0.6%) eyes with fair visual outcome. The commonest late postoperative complication, cystoid macular oedema (CMO) occurred in 9 eyes followed by posterior capsular opacification(PCO) in 6 eyes. The visual outcome was fair in 6 eyes with cystoid macula oedema and poor in 5 eyes with posterior capsular opacity. There was a significant association between the eyes with late post operative complications and the development of poor vision p<0.0001. Conclusion: The commonest intraoperative complication was posterior capsular rent with or without vitreous loss while the commonest intraoperative complication was striate keratopathy. Visual outcome was not significantly affected by the early postoperative complication, but was significantly affected by late postoperative complication. Proper management of operative complications will help in reducing their adverse effects on the eye.

Key words: cataract surgery, operative, complications, visual outcome