Early experience with intraocular lens implication surgery in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cataract affects some 16 million people globally. In Rivers State, Nigeria, it is responsible for half the 2.5% prevalence of blindness. The treatment is mainly surgical.
Aim: To assess cataract operations in the Ophthalmic Unit of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
Methods: All patients with cataracts operated upon in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between the period of January and December 2004 were included. Records of follow-up till 12 weeks post surgery were examined and analyzed manually with statistical backup using student\'s t-test with 95% significance. Visual outcome was categorized as good with visual acuity (VA) better than 6/18, fair with VA between 6/18 and 6/60, poor with VA less than 6/60.
Results: A total of 43 eyes were operated on in the period. Patients\' ages ranged between 7 months and 84 years (average 50.9 years). Only 25 patients failed to attend follow-up at 12 weeks after surgery. Postoperative visual recovery at 6 weeks was good in 20.9%, fair in 46.5% and poor in 23.3%. Those older than 50 years had more patients with good visual outcome but this was not statistically significant. The males appeared to have more patients with good outcome but this was not statistically significant (P=0.46). Those with primary level of education and housewives also appeared to have a better chance of achieving at least a fair outcome but this was not statistically significant (P=0.35 and 0.38 respectively). Postoperative vision was significantly better among those with simple, uncomplicated senile cataract rather than with traumatic, subluxated and dislocated cataract (P=0.00021).
Conclusion: Only 25% of the 43 eyes operated on had good outcome at 6 weeks.


Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 1 (3) 2007: pp. 178-185