Outcomes of Cataract Surgery and Predictors of Poor Outcome in Lions Regional Ophthalmic Unit

Abstract

Introduction: Cataract is the first leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is not preventable and surgery is required to restore vision. World Health Organization classifies outcomes of cataract surgery into three categories based on Visual Acuity (VA): Good Outcome (VA= 6/6-6/18, VA Best Corrected>85%), Borderline Outcome (VA< 15%) and Poor Outcome (VA< 5%). Aims: 1) to assess the outcomes of cataract surgery in Lions Regional Ophthalmic Unit (ROU) in patients aged 50 years and over operated from January 2008 to April 2009, 2) to identify the reasons for borderline and poor outcome in this study group, 3) to give recommendations for decreasing the rates of borderline and poor outcomes, and 4) to compare the results of this study with the study conducted in Kanaker - Zeytoon Medical Union in 2006. Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional study design. People with missing contact information, mental and severe hearing impairments were excluded from the study. The main outcome variable was Best Corrected Postoperative VA. The study collected data using an interviewer - administered questionnaire adapted from a previous study in Armenia. Results: The proportion of good outcomes in Lions ROU was 78.3%, borderline - 15.5% and poor - 6.2%. The proportion of good outcomes was statistically significantly lower than the WHO recommendation of >85%. Simple Linear Regression showed that age, ophthalmic comorbidity and level of education were significantly associated with VA. All these variables were included in the Multiple Linear Regression, where only age and ophthalmic comorbidity showed significant association. Independent Sample t-test showed that mean VA in the ROU was significantly higher than in Kanaker - Zeytoon Medical Union. Conclusions: The study results showed that age and ophthalmic comorbidity were negatively associated with the VA and were predictors of poor outcome in this study group. Early detection and treatment of ophthalmic comorbidities may improve outcomes of surgery in Lions ROU.