Visual outcome after small incision cataract surgery of patients in a Kenyan Hospital Contributors

• Published in: African health sciences 2023-06, Vol.23 (2), p.469-77
• Main Authors: Rono, Julius Kipkemboi, Nirghin, Urvashni
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1680-6905; 1729-0503
• DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v23i2.54

The visual outcome and the effect of cataract surgery on existent and surgically induced refractive errors are a concern of interest that the eye care expert must deal with. The aim of the study was to investigate the visual outcome after small incision cataract surgery of patients in a Kenyan hospital. A descriptive retrospective study covering 3 years (2015 to 2017). Total of 1104 files of patients aged > 50 years who had undergone small incision cataract surgery at Sabatia eye hospital were purposively selected. Information on demographics, clinical aspects and outcome was collected using a ministry of health structured form. Statistical package for social sciences version 24 was used to analyse the data. Of the 1104 patients, 55% (n=606) were females. The mean age of patients was 70.6 ± 9.8 years. Most patients were from the hospital neighbourhood. Visual acuity improved by 38.9%, 28.9%, 19.8% and 11.5% in patients aged 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80-89 years old, respectively. Small incision cataract surgery improved visual acuity in all patients' groups, but the outcome is influenced by age, refractive error particularly astigmatism.