Profile of cataract surgical patients at the national eye centre, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Cataract surgery has evolved over the years. This study aims to highlight the profile of the patients that
underwent cataract surgery at a tertiary hospital with emphasis on patient demographics, surgical techniques performed,
intraocular lens powers implanted, and the complications managed.
Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study of all patients who had undergone cataract surgery
within two years at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria. Data extracted from the electronic version of the manual
cataract surgical records included the patient's age, sex, comorbidities, technique of cataract surgery performed, the
intraocular lens powers implanted, and complications encountered. Intraoperative and postoperative complications up to
the twelfth week were considered. All patients had biometry-guided intraocular lens implantation.
Results: One thousand four hundred and seventy- two (1,472) patient records of all ages met the inclusion criteria with a
male-female ratio of 1.4:1. The mean age was 51.4 ± 22.6 years. The difference in the mean age of the sexes was
statistically significant (p=0.01) and 95% CI was 7.37- 10.40 years. Glaucoma was the most common ocular comorbidity
142(9.65%) and only 5% (74) had systemic comorbidities. The mean intraocular lens (IOL) power was 19.25 ±
1.8Diopters (Range 10.5D to 26D). The commonest surgery performed was small incision cataract extraction with
posterior chamber intraocular lens implant (SICS + PCIOL) 91.2% followed by Trabeculectomy with SICS + PCIOL
(3.87%). Phacoemulsification accounted for 2.72% of surgeries. Intra-operative complications were posterior capsular
rent in 7.1% (104) and vitreous loss in 4% (58). The commonest post-operative complications were corneal edema6.9%
(103) and striae keratopathy 4.6% (68).
Conclusion: Most cataract patients were male, above 50 years of age, and likely to be older than the females at surgery.
The most performed surgical technique was small incision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens
implantation (SICS + PCIOL) while the mean intra-ocular lens power was 19.25 ± 1.8Dioptres. Globally accepted
cataract surgical techniques utilizing recent technological advancements were employed with biometry-guided
intraocular lens power calculation and implantation. Complications fell within the accepted global rates