Does prospective monitoring improve cataract surgery outcomes in Africa?

[Cataract surgery in sub-Saharan Africa-Possibilities and limits]

BACKGROUND

The importance of cataract surgery for the treatment of visual impairment and blindness is as uncontroversial as the cost-effectiveness of the procedure. In terms of quality, there are almost no published case series of cataract operations in sub-Saharan Africa that meet the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for postoperative visual acuity.

OBJECTIVE

The results after cataract surgery at a publicly accessible tertiary care eye clinic in Rwanda are presented and compared with standardized results from an eye clinic in Germany (AKW).

METHODS

Data from 100 consecutive eyes (manual small incision cataract surgery, MSICS-Rwanda, Phaco-Rwanda, Phaco-AKW) were retrospectively evaluated. The results were compared with each other and with WHO guidelines.

RESULTS

The number of patients with significantly reduced preoperative visual acuity (visual acuity > 1.3 logMAR) was highest in the MSICS group (MSICS 92%, Phaco-Rwanda 13%, Phaco-AKW 1%). Uncorrected postoperative visual acuity was similar in the Phako-Rwanda and Phako-AKW groups (0.22/0.21 logMAR) and better than MSICS Rwanda (0.33 logMAR). The best corrected postoperative visual acuity was significantly better in the Phako-Rwanda group (0.07 logMAR) than in the two comparison groups Phako-AKW (0.1 logMAR) and MSICS Rwanda (0.15 logMAR). The results of all three groups fulfilled the WHO criteria for postoperative visual acuity.

CONCLUSION

Despite poor initial visual acuity, high quality results can be achieved in cataract surgery in a clinical setting in sub-Saharan Africa that are within WHO expectations. A coexistence of MSICS technique and phaco seems reasonable to avoid complications and achieve the best possible results.

The Better Operative Outcomes Software Tool (BOOST) Prospective Study: Improving the Quality of Cataract Surgery Outcomes in Low-Resource Settings

PURPOSE

Post-operative vision impairment is common among patients who have undergone cataract surgery in low-resource settings, impacting quality of clinical outcomes and patient experience. This prospective, multisite, single-armed, pragmatic validation study aimed to assess whether receiving tailored recommendations via the free Better Operative Outcomes Software Tool (BOOST) app improved surgical outcomes, as quantified by post-operative unaided distance visual acuity (UVA) measured 1-3 days after surgery.

METHODS

During the baseline data collection round, surgeons in low and middle-income countries recorded clinical characteristics of 60 consecutive cataract cases in BOOST. Additional data on the causes of poor outcomes from 20 consecutive cases with post-operative UVA of <6/60 (4-12 weeks post-surgery) were entered to automatically generate tailored recommendations for improvement, before 60 additional consecutive cases were recorded during the follow-up study round. Average UVA was compared between cases recorded in the baseline study round and those recorded during follow-up.

RESULTS

Among 4,233 cataract surgeries performed by 41 surgeons in 18 countries, only 2,002 (47.3%) had post-operative UVA 6/12 or better. Among the 14 surgeons (34.1%) who completed both rounds of the study (1,680 cases total), there was no clinically significant improvement in post-operative average UVA (logMAR units ±SD) between baseline (0.50 ± 0.37) and follow-up (0.47 ± 0.36) rounds (mean improvement 0.03, p = 0.486).

CONCLUSIONS

Receiving BOOST-generated recommendations did not result in improved UVA beyond what could be expected from prospective monitoring of surgical outcomes alone. Additional research is required to assess whether targeted support to implement changes could potentiate the uptake of app-generated recommendations and improve outcomes.

Visual outcomes and complications after phacoemulsification and small incision manual cataract surgery in two eye hospitals

PURPOSE

To evaluate and compare the visual outcomes and complications of cataract surgery in two referral eye hospitals in southern Nigeria.

METHODS

Case records of patients who underwent elective cataract surgery at two referral eye hospitals from February 2017-2022 were collected retrospectively. Demographics, preoperative visual acuity (VA), anterior and posterior segment details, intraoperative and postoperative complications, VA at day 1, 1 week, and 1 month postoperatively were analyzed. The visual outcomes and complications of the phacoemulsification (PHACO) and manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) groups were compared. VA after cataract surgery was graded according to the WHO criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 3923 eyes underwent cataract surgery. The mean age was 65.30±17.50 years, and the majority (63.0%) were females. Approximately 1271 (32.4%) had unilateral cataracts, while 2652 (67.6%) were affected bilaterally. PHACO and MSICS were performed in 87.9% and 12.1% of cases, respectively. The proportion of eyes with good VA increased from 0.01% to 93.80% for PHACO-operated eyes and 2.50% to 92.30% for MSICS-operated eyes. Out of the 686 (17.49%) eyes with preexisting ocular pathology, the most common was glaucoma (281, 40.96%). More intraoperative complications occurred in the MSICS group (12.45%) compared to PHACO (5.89%), which was statistically significant (P-value<0.001). More postoperative complications (early and late) were seen in the MSICS group compared to the PHACO group, which was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Even though MSICS is performed more often in complicated cases, the study shows that experienced surgeons who perform PHACO and MSICS surgeries achieve similar visual acuity outcomes and complication rates.

Can prospective monitoring improve complication rates after gastrectomy? Experience of Billroth I reconstruction at a high-volume tertiary center

INTRODUCTION

Prospective database is imperative in surgical outcome monitoring and has shown success in providing a comprehensive complication index to monitor surgical quality. This study aims to review whether prospective monitoring has an effect on postoperative complication rates, especially leakage after Billroth I (BI) anastomosis and to identify risk factors of anastomosis leakage after BI anastomosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent distal gastrectomy with BI reconstruction at Seoul National University Hospital between January 2018 and April 2021 were enrolled. Clinicopathological characteristics and perioperative variables were retrieved. The risk factor that was statistically significant in univariate analysis was further analyzed by binomial logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

BI leakage rate in three years has declined by half on a yearly basis from 5.7% to 1.8%. The leakage group patients were predominantly male (100%) when compared to the non-leakage group (67.6%) (p = 0.04). The BMI (25.00 ± 1.42 vs. 24.16 ± 3.15, p = 0.048) and CRP measured on POD#2 (16.47 ± 5.64 vs. 9.99 ± 5.42, p < 0.001) showed significant differences between the two groups. POD#2 CRP greater than 12.7 mg/dL was able to predict risk of anastomosis leak with sensitivity 73.3% and specificity 73.1%.

CONCLUSION

Understanding variations in outcomes is important for improvements in surgical care, and through prospective monitoring and intra-departmental feedback, it is possible to reduce complication rates after gastrectomy. This study shows that age, gender and BMI are risk factors to BI leakage and POD#2 CRP greater than 12.7 mg/dL can be used to suspect leakage after BI anastomosis.

Social, Educational and Medical Aspects after Cataract Surgery of Bilaterally Blind Children in Kinshasa—Perception of Parents and Children

The study investigated the influence of bilateral cataract surgery on the social and educational development of previously bilaterally blind children in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where the prevalence of blindness due to cataract is higher than in high-income countries. The views of both, parents and children, were evaluated with structured interviews based on a newly developed questionnaire related to surgery, follow-up, and family life after surgery. The mean age of the children at interview was 14.4 ± 8.1 years, with 27 females and 26 males. Satisfaction with the outcome of the surgery was reported by 91% of parents. Parents would recommend surgery, because of the children being happy and able to act more independently, with personal, educational and familial factors essentially contributing to the reported satisfaction. The results also showed that 85.0% of children did not wear eyeglasses. Reasons given were mainly cost-related, but also included limited communication between families and health institutions. Providing and maintaining a high-quality and accessible pediatric cataract surgery and healthcare service for follow-up is a major requisite to reduce childhood blindness in SSA. Our study proved the necessity and effectiveness of a community-based rehabilitation program that cares about each individual child, whatever his or her social background.

Postoperative astigmatic considerations in manual small-incision cataract surgery - A review

Cataract remains a major cause of visual impairment worldwide including in India. The sutureless manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) as an alternative to phacoemulsification, gives equivalent visual results at lower expenses. Still the procedure is often discredited for higher astigmatism due to the larger size of the incision. High astigmatism is an important cause of poor uncorrected visual acuity after cataract surgery. However, there are enough studies in the literature to prove that surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) can be minimized and also eliminated by adopting appropriate wound construction techniques during surgery. Even pre-existing astigmatism if any can be neutralized by changing wound architecture during surgery. Here, we review the various techniques of scleral tunnel construction described in the literature to care for postoperative astigmatism in MSICS.

Visual Outcome Following Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery at a Tertiary Center in South India

Introduction

Cataract being one of the leading causes of avertible blindness has been found to be quite prevalent in developing countries like India. The National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) aims at reducing blindness due to cataract via cataract control programs. The most commonly performed surgery is the manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS).

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the visual acuity and outcome in patients who underwent MSICS in a tertiary hospital in south India.

Methodology

A prospective longitudinal interventional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Karnataka, India, over a period of nine months. A total of 105 eyes underwent MSICS and were followed up for one month to assess their postoperative visual outcome and complications, if any. During this period, they were started on antibiotic + steroid combination eyedrops, which were tapered over four weeks.

Results

Results were assessed based on visual grading categorized by the World Health Organization (WHO). A total of 103 (98.1%) patients had good vision, i.e., visual acuity of 6/6 - 6/18, followed by two (1.9%) who had moderate vision i.e., visual acuity of <6/18 - 3/60, and none were blind or with visual acuity of <3/60. Complications seen intraoperatively in two patients (1.9%) were iris prolapse and posterior capsular rent, respectively, and postoperatively one (0.95%) patient showed hyphema with inferior haptic in the anterior chamber.

Conclusion

This study proves that a good visual outcome with a low complication rate can be achieved after MSICS with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.

How can we improve the quality of cataract services for all? A global scoping review

BACKGROUND

Cataract is a leading cause of blindness and vision impairment globally. Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed operations worldwide, but good quality services are not universally available. This scoping review aims to summarise the nature and extent of published literature on interventions to improve the quality of services for age-related cataract globally.

METHODS

We used the dimensions of quality adopted by WHO-effectiveness, safety, people-centredness, timeliness, equity, integration and efficiency-to which we added planetary health. On 17 November 2019, we searched MEDLINE, Embase and Global Health for manuscripts published since 1990, without language or geographic restrictions. We included studies that reported quality-relevant interventions and excluded studies focused on technical aspects of surgery or that only involved children (younger than 18 years). Screening of titles/abstracts, full-text review and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently. Studies were grouped thematically and results synthesised narratively.

RESULTS

Most of the 143 included studies were undertaken in high-income countries (n = 93, 65%); 29 intervention groups were identified, most commonly preoperative education (n = 17, 12%) and pain/anxiety management (n = 16, 11%). Efficiency was the quality element most often assessed (n = 58, 41%) followed by people-centredness (n = 40, 28%), while integration (n = 4) and timeliness (n = 3) were infrequently reported, and no study reported outcomes related to planetary health.

CONCLUSION

Evidence on interventions to improve quality of cataract services shows unequal regional distribution. There is an urgent need for more evidence relevant to low- and middle-income countries as well as across all quality elements, including planetary health.

Evaluation of postoperative refractive error correction after cataract surgery

Suboptimal cataract surgery outcomes remain a challenge in most developing countries. In Ghana, about 2 million people have been reported to be blind due to cataract with about 20% new cases being recorded yearly. The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative correction of refractive errors after cataract surgery in a selected eye hospital in Ashanti Region, Ghana. This was a retrospective study where medical records of patients (aged 40–100) who reported to an eye hospital in Ghana from 2013–2018 were reviewed. Included in the study were patients aged ≥40 years and patients with complete records. Data on patient demographics, type of surgery, intra-ocular lens (PCIOL) power, availability of biometry, postoperative refraction outcomes, pre- and postoperative visual acuity were analyzed. Data of two hundred and thirteen eyes of 190 patients who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Descriptive analysis and Chi-square test were carried out to determine the mean, median, standard deviation and relevant associations. The mean ± SD age was 67.21±12.2 years (51.2% were females). Small Incision Cataract Surgery (99.5%) with 100% IOL implants was the main cataract surgery procedure in this study. Pre-operative biometry was performed for 38.9% of all patients on their first eye surgery and 41.5% for second eye surgeries. About 71% eyes in this study were blind (presenting VA<3/60) before surgery; 40.4% had post-operative VA <3/60. Pre-existing ocular comorbidities discovered post- surgery, attributed to suboptimal visual outcomes. More than half (55.3%) of patients did not undergo postoperative refraction due to loss to follow-up. Year of surgery (p = .017), follow up visits< 2months (p < .0001) and discovered comorbidity post-surgery (p = .035) were the factors significantly associated with postoperative refraction. Myopia and compound myopic astigmatism were the dominant refractive error outcomes. The timing of post-operative refraction had a significant effect on postoperative refraction done. These findings indicate a clinically meaningful significance between completion of postoperative care and postoperative refraction done. Consequently, with settings in most developing countries, where less biometry is done, it is appropriate that post-operative refractive services are encouraged and done earlier to enhance the patients’ expectations while increasing cataract surgery patronage.

Refractive Outcome of Cataract Surgery Done at University of Gondar Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, North West Ethiopia

PURPOSE

According to World Health Organization (WHO), cataract is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment throughout the world. Post-operative refractive error is one of the commonest reasons for poor visual outcome after cataract surgery especially in developing countries where the standard modern biometry equipments are not available. The objective of this study was to assess the refractive outcome of cataract surgery done at University of Gondar (UoG) Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center, North West Ethiopia.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was done on 66 patients who had undergone manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) and fulfilled the inclusion criteria at UoG Tertiary Eye Care and Training Center from July 15 2019 to October 15 2019.

RESULTS

From 90 post-operatively refracted eyes, 58 (64.4%) eyes achieved a target refraction of ±1.00 Diopter (D). The right and left eyes achieved mean post-operative refraction SE of -0.073±1.45D and -0.93±1.70 D, respectively. But only 54 (60%) eyes were implanted with the calculated IOL power and for the remaining 40% the calculated IOL was not available at the store. And the target (Good) post-operative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was achieved in 66.7% and 82.2% eyes, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The post-operative refractive outcome after cataract surgery at the center is low. For over one-third of operated eyes, the calculated IOL was not implanted due to the absence of the required IOL power at the store and, therefore, a wide range of IOL power should be available at the center.

Assessment of a software guided system to reduce pre-existing astigmatism in cataract surgery

The aim of this pilot study was to assess the astigmatism after small incision cataract surgery by use of a novel software guided surgical technique. The software system guides the surgeon toward a hypothetical shape of the cornea. When this shape is achieved, the vertical meridian is relaxed and the incision does not produce any astigmatism. How that hypothetical shape is to be achieved by the surgeon is described. If preoperative astigmatism exists, the hypothetical shape calculated by the system takes that into account. This enables the surgeon to reduce preexisting astigmatism, without having to change the site or size of the standard 6 mm 12 o clock incision of SICS. Results: Results indicated that preoperative astigmatism reduced in 11 out of 14 cases at the end of 8 weeks, remained unchanged in one, and increased by less than 0.5D in two cases. This proves the hypothesis that the vertical corneal meridian is under higher tension and relaxing it by flattening the perpendicular meridian has a reducing effect on postoperative astigmatism.

Efficacy, safety and visual outcomes of cataract surgeries performed during blindness prevention programs in different locations in Kenya

PURPOSE

To determine the visual outcomes achieved in terms of efficacy and safety during high-volume cataract surgery programs in different locations in Kenya.

METHODS

Eight hundred eighty-one eyes of 849 patients underwent extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation in a retrospective, observational, consecutive cohort study on patients who underwent cataract surgery in five programs that a Spanish non-governmental organization conducted between 2013 and 2019 for the prevention of blindness in different geographical areas of Kenya: Thika, Athi River, Kissi, Bagavathi, and Nakuru. The programs were carried out by Spanish and Kenyan surgeons working together.

RESULTS

Mean age was 66.81 ± 14.47 years. Fifty-one percent of the operated eyes (447 eyes) were women. 94% of patients belonged to six ethnic groups. The mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) before surgery was 1.98 ± 0.98 logMAR (20/2000), which changed to 0.82 ± 0.68 logMAR (20/150) 3 months after surgeries. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 0.4 ± 0.53 logMAR (20/50) 3 months after surgery, 77.5% of the patients had good visual outcomes, and 6.3% had poor outcomes. Preoperative UDVAs were significantly different with respect to the different geographical areas (Kruskal-Wallis; p < 0.001). The most common intraoperative complication was posterior capsule rupture (incidence, 4.2%, 37 of 881), and the most serious complication was expulsive hemorrhage (incidence, 0.1%, 1 of 881).

CONCLUSIONS

Cataract programs performed in a middle-income country with the proper technique and standardized protocols of action improved the visual outcome of the patients. Dissimilar baseline status was found in different areas regarding preoperative visual acuities. Training programs of local surgeons should be reinforced.

Ophthalmology training in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 12% of the global population, and 4.3 million are blind and over 15 million are visually impaired. There are only 2.5 ophthalmologists per million people in SSA. Training of ophthalmologists is critical. We designed a systematic literature review protocol, searched MEDLINE Ovid and Embase OVID on 1 August 2019 and limited these searches to the year 2000 onwards. We also searched Google Scholar and websites of ophthalmic institutions for additional information. We include a total of 49 references in this review and used a narrative approach to synthesise the results. There are 56 training institutions for ophthalmologists in eleven Anglophone, eleven Francophone, and two Lusophone SSA countries. The median duration of ophthalmology training programmes was 4 years. Most curricula have been regionally standardised. National, regional and international collaborations are a key feature to ophthalmology training in more than half of ophthalmology training programmes. There is a drive, although perhaps not always evidence-based, for sub-specialisation in the region. Available published scientific data on ophthalmic medical and surgical training in SSA is sparse, especially for Francophone and Lusophone countries. However, through a broad scoping review strategy it has been possible to obtain a valuable and detailed view of ophthalmology training in SSA. Training of ophthalmologists is a complex and multi-faceted task. There are challenges in appropriate selection, capacity, and funding of available training institutions. Numerous learning outcomes demand curriculum, time, faculty, support, and appropriate assessment. There are opportunities provided by modern training approaches. Partnership is key.

Outcomes and Associated Factors of Cataract Surgery Among Adults Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background

Visual outcomes and factors associated with cataract surgery vary from country to country and within countries. This study aimed to evaluate associated factors and visual outcomes following cataract surgery among adults attending Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a prospective, longitudinal study of consecutive adult patients scheduled for cataract surgery between May 2018 and April 2019. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. We used World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for cataract surgery outcome assessment as a reference for comparison.

Results

Three hundred fourteen eyes of 314 participants (mean age 64.16±8.83 SD, 52% females, 44% from rural location) were included in the study. Most, 283 (90.1%) had preoperative visual acuity less than 6/60. At final follow-up visit (6 to 8 weeks), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was good (≥6/18) in 215 (68.5%), borderline (<6/18–6/60) in 63 (20.1%) and poor (<6/60) in 36 (11.5%) eyes. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) [OR = 4.57, 95% CI [1.12–17.24], p=0.03] and preoperative astigmatism [OR = 3.22, 95% CI [1.25–8.33], p=0.01] were significantly associated with poor postoperative visual outcome.

Conclusion

While the majority of patients had good postoperative BCVA following cataract surgery, the percentage of patients with poor visual outcomes was higher than the WHO standard. Greater attention to pre-existing co-morbidities such as retinal disease and high astigmatism could improve outcomes by optimizing patient selection and surgical approach.

Cataract surgery in surgical camps: outcomes in a rural area of Cameroon

AIM

To assess the complications and visual outcomes of cataract surgery during an outreach eye camp in Cameroon in which two foreign ophthalmologists operate alongside a local one.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective and comparative cohort study. The patients were consecutively assigned to three groups depending on the ophthalmologist who performed the cataract surgeries. All eyes underwent manual sutureless incision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) implantation under peribulbar anesthesia. Postoperative visits were scheduled for the first day, first week and second month after the procedures. Intra- and postoperative complications, best-corrected visual acuity and also refractive errors were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 263 eyes underwent cataract extraction with PCIOL implantation. The percentage of eyes in which two or more lines of corrected distance visual acuity decreased were 2.4%, 2.7% and 0% for groups A, B and C, respectively. The percentage of eyes with good visual outcome (uncorrected distance visual acuity UDVA > 20/60) were, respectively, 82.09%, 81.43% and 80.82% for the three groups. Similar results were found between the three groups regarding complications. Ocular hypertension, transient corneal edema and hyphema were the incidences registered at the first postoperative control performed 24 h after surgery. The most common complication observed 2 months after surgery was posterior capsular opacity (2.6%).

CONCLUSION

High-volume cataract surgery in low- and middle-income countries may have good visual outcomes and a low rate of complications when the procedures are performed by either foreign or local ophthalmologists.

SYNOPSIS

A program of high-volume cataract surgery carried out in a rural environment with few resources can give good visual outcomes in the hands of both foreign and local experienced ophthalmologists.

Interventions to improve the quality of cataract services: protocol for a global scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness globally and a major cause of vision impairment. Cataract surgery is an efficacious intervention that usually restores vision. Although it is one of the most commonly conducted surgical interventions worldwide, good quality services (from being detected with operable cataract to undergoing surgery and receiving postoperative care) are not universally accessible. Poor quality understandably reduces the willingness of people with operable cataract to undergo surgery. Therefore, it is critical to improve the quality of care to subsequently reduce vision loss from cataract. This scoping review aims to summarise the nature and extent of the published literature on interventions to improve the quality of services for primary age-related cataract globally.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will search MEDLINE, Embase and Global Health for peer-reviewed manuscripts published since 1990, with no language, geographic or study design restrictions. To define quality, we have used the elements adopted by the WHO-effectiveness, safety, people-centredness, timeliness, equity, integration and efficiency-to which we have added the element of planetary health. We will exclude studies focused on the technical aspects of the surgical procedure and studies that only involve children (<18 years). Two reviewers will screen all titles/abstracts independently, followed by a full-text review of potentially relevant articles. For included articles, data regarding publication characteristics, study details and quality-related outcomes will be extracted by two reviewers independently. Results will be synthesised narratively and presented visually using a spider chart.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was not sought, as our review will only include published and publicly accessible information. We will publish our findings in an open-access peer-reviewed journal and develop an accessible summary of the results for website posting. A summary of the results will be included in the ongoing Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/8gktz).

Factors associated with visual outcomes after cataract surgery: A cross-sectional or retrospective study in Liberia

Objective

To report the initial outcomes and associated risk factors for poor outcome of cataract surgery performed in Liberia

Methods and analysis

LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Hyderabad, started providing eye care in Liberia since July 2017. Electronic Medical Records of 573 patients operated for age-related cataract from July 2017 to January 2019 were reviewed. One eye per patient was included for analysis. All patients underwent either phacoemulsification or manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS). Pre and postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded at one day, 1–3 weeks and 4–11 weeks. Main outcome measure was BCVA at 4–11 weeks; Intraoperative complications and preoperative ocular comorbidities (POC) were noted. BCVA less than 6/12 was classified as visual impairment (VI). Risk factor for VI was analysed using the logistic regression model.

Results

Of the 573 patients, 288 were males and 285 were females (49.7%). Mean age was 65.9±10.9 years; 14.3% had POC. The surgical technique was mainly MSICS (94.59%, n = 542). At 4–11 weeks, good outcome of 6/12 or better was noted in 38.55% (UCVA) and 82.54% (BCVA). Visual acuity (VA) of 6/18 or better as UCVA and BCVA was noted in 63.5% and 88% eyes respectively. Poor outcome of less than 6/60 was noted as UCVA (11.11%) and BCVA (5.22%). Multivariable analysis showed poor visual outcomes significantly higher in patients with POC (odds ratio 3.28; 95% CI: 1.70, 6.34).

Conclusion

The cataract surgical outcomes in Liberia were good; with ocular comorbidities as the only risk factor.

[Sumbawanga eye camp follow-up study 2019]

BACKGROUND

In 2019 the German Commission for the Prevention of Blindness (DKVB) held an eye camp in the Tanzanian town of Sumbawanga. For patients with mature cataracts and the ability to see light cateracts were treated by manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS). For the first time in this camp the quality of the results of the cataract operations was measured.

OBJECTIVE

The quality of the cataract operations is presented and the results were assessed in the context of the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).

METHODS

Those patients who had a cataract operation in the first week were examined during the second week with respect to the parameters vision, refraction, split lamp microscopic findings, results and complications after surgery. The results were retrospectively evaluated and compared with the guidelines of the WHO.

RESULTS

A total of 42 postoperative patients from the eye camp could be examined within 5-9 days after cataract sugery. The following parameters were found: median postoperative visual acuity 0.26, spherical equivalent -2.82 dpt, astigmatism -2.2 dpt, axis 113°. Visual acuity >0.3 in 14.2% (WHO 80%), vision 0.1-0.3 in 62% (WHO 15%), vision <0.1 in 23.8% (WHO 5%). Prolonged healing time and intraocular irritation in 29% of the cases.

CONCLUSION

Although the vision improved, the results are sobering when taken in the context of the WHO guidelines. The postoperative refraction showed a myopic shift and an high level of astigmatism. The reasons are manifold: ocular comorbidities, limited diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities in a nonclinical setting. Other factors are the kind of training of the staff in the camp, the difficult circumstances and advanced findings. Consideration of the results of this study is imperative to be able to measure the quality of the work and to create the potential to make future improvements.

Predictors of patient compliance with follow-up visits after cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To identify patient characteristics associated with follow-up compliance and to draw implications for better cataract treatment services.

SETTING

Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India.

DESIGN

Retrospective case study.

METHODS

The data of all cataract surgeries performed in 2015 were analyzed. After each surgery, patients were asked to return for follow-up after 1 month. The follow-up rates were compared between patients with different demographic characteristics, surgical factors, and preoperative and discharge visual acuities. The behaviors of patients who complied with the follow-up advice were analyzed, including the number of days from surgery to follow-up and number of follow-up visits. Multivariate regression models were used to identify predictors associated with these behaviors.

RESULTS

The overall follow-up rate for the 86 776 surgeries analyzed was 85.6%. Patients more likely to follow-up were women, younger than 70 years, and paying (versus subsidized or free) and had phacoemulsification rather than manual small-incision cataract surgery (all P < .001). Patients who had complications, reoperations, or poorer visual acuity at discharge were less likely to comply with the follow-up advice (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Targeted interventions to boost follow-up rates should be directed to patients with the characteristics found in this study. Furthermore, average measures of visual outcomes at 4 weeks are likely to be overstated relative to the truth.

Outcomes of cataract surgery performed by non-physician cataract surgeons in remote North Cameroon

OBJECTIVE

To report the outcomes of cataract surgery performed by non-physician cataract surgeons due to lack of ophthalmologists in remote areas of North Cameroon.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

The main centre of the non-governmental organisation Ophtalmo Sans Frontières in Lagdo.

PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS

Age-related cataract surgery performed between 28 November 2016 and 17 May 2017.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

The main outcome measure was presenting visual acuity (PVA) 1-4 weeks after surgery, classified according to the WHO as good (PVA ≥6/18), borderline (PVA 6/60-6/18) and poor (PVA <6/60). The WHO definition of blindness (visual acuity <3/60) and severe visual acuity (visual acuity 3/60-6/60) was used to assess the proportion of patients with a change in WHO category.

RESULTS

We included 474 eyes of 474 patients; the mean (SD) age was 63.9 (15) years (42.2% female). At 1-4 weeks after surgery, the surgical outcome was good for 170 patients (41.1%), borderline for 213 (51.5%) and poor for 31 (7.5%). In all, 224 patients (47.2%) had blindness or severe visual impairment before cataract surgery and 22 (5.3%) at 1-4 weeks after surgery. Poor visual outcome was associated with older age (p=0.018), preoperative blindness or severe impairment (p=0.012) and surgical complications (p=0.019).

CONCLUSION

Blindness and severe visual impairment were significantly decreased in the early postoperative period. Poor outcomes were associated with older age, low preoperative binocular visual acuity and intraoperative complications. Non-physician cataract surgeons may compensate for the lack of ophthalmologists in remote areas of low-income and middle-income countries.

Demographic characteristics and visual status of patients undergoing cataract surgery at a tertiary hospital in Kano, Nigeria

Objective/Purpose:

To describe the demographic and baseline ocular characteristics, prevalence of blindness and visual impairment among patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction for age related cataract at the study hospital over a one year period.

Materials/Patients:

All consecutive patients aged 40 years and above identified with age related cataract in one or both eyes who voluntarily agree to participate were included.

Methods:

The study adhered to the tenets of the Helsinki declaration. Written informed consent was obtained from all eligible patients. All patients underwent basic eye examination by the ophthalmologist. Visual impairment was determined for each eye according to the standard WHO categorizations. Information obtained also included age, sex and history of previous cataract surgery. Data were recorded in manual tally sheets and on modified computer Cataract Surgery Record forms. Analyses were done using SPSS (version 16, SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA).

Results:

The participation rate was 91.2%. There were 495 eyes of 487 consecutive patients. This include 212 males and 275 females (M:F, 1:1.3). The age range was 40 to 99 years with a mean age of 62.76 ± 10.49 years (61.35 ± 9.75 years in men and 63.85±10.9 years in females). Most of the patients (n = 451; 92.6%, 95% CI: 89.9-94.6%) were aged 50 years and above. Sixty patients (12.3%, 95% CI: 9.6-15.5%) had cataract in both eyes, 427 (87.7%, 95% CI: 84.5-90.3%) were in one eye. Among these, preoperatively 16 (3.3%, 95% CI: 2.0-5.3%) had aphakia, 21 (4.3%, 95% CI: 2.8-6.5%) had uniocular pseudophakia. About 63.2% (95% CI: 58.9-67.4%) of patients had normal vision in the better eye (presenting VA ≥6/18). Overall 9.5% (95% CI: 7.3-12.7%) were bilaterally blind. About 96.8% of eyes (95% CI: 94.5-98.0%) undergoing cataract surgery were blind (presenting VA< 3/60).

Conclusion:

The study highlights preponderance of females and high incidence of blinding cataract. Education and early disease awareness may play an important role in these patients and could improve cataract surgical services in our hospital.

What are the priorities for improving cataract surgical outcomes in Africa? Results of a Delphi exercise

PURPOSE

The quality of cataract surgery delivered in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is a significant constraint to achieving the elimination of avoidable blindness. No published reports from routine SSA cataract services attain the WHO benchmarks for visual outcomes; poor outcomes (<6/60) often comprise 20% in published case series. This Delphi exercise aimed to identify and prioritise potential interventions for improving the quality of cataract surgery in SSA to guide research and eye health programme development.

METHODS

An initial email open-question survey created a ranked list of priorities for improving quality of surgical services. A second-round face-to-face discussion facilitated at a Vision 2020 Research Mentorship Workshop in Tanzania created a refined list for repeated ranking.

RESULTS

Seventeen factors were agreed that might form target interventions to promote quality of cataract services. Improved training of surgeons was the top-ranked item, followed by utilisation of biometry, surgical equipment availability, effective monitoring of outcomes of cataract surgery by the surgeon, and well-trained support staff for the cataract pathway (including nurses seeing post-operative cases).

CONCLUSION

Improving the quality of cataract surgery in SSA is a clinical, programmatic and public health priority. In the absence of other evidence, the collective expert opinion of those involved in ophthalmic services regarding the ranking of factors to promote quality improvement, refined through this Delphi exercise, provides us with candidate intervention areas to be evaluated.

Effective cataract surgical coverage: An indicator for measuring quality-of-care in the context of Universal Health Coverage

OBJECTIVE

To define and demonstrate effective cataract surgical coverage (eCSC), a candidate UHC indicator that combines a coverage measure (cataract surgical coverage, CSC) with quality (post-operative visual outcome).

METHODS

All Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) surveys with datasets on the online RAAB Repository on April 1 2016 were downloaded. The most recent study from each country was included. By country, cataract surgical outcome (CSOGood, 6/18 or better; CSOPoor, worse than 6/60), CSC (operated cataract as a proportion of operable plus operated cataract) and eCSC (operated cataract and a good outcome as a proportion of operable plus operated cataract) were calculated. The association between CSC and CSO was assessed by linear regression. Gender inequality in CSC and eCSC was calculated.

FINDINGS

Datasets from 20 countries were included (2005-2013; 67,337 participants; 5,474 cataract surgeries). Median CSC was 53.7% (inter-quartile range[IQR] 46.1-66.6%), CSOGood was 58.9% (IQR 53.7-67.6%) and CSOPoor was 17.7% (IQR 11.3-21.1%). Coverage and quality of cataract surgery were moderately associated-every 1% CSC increase was associated with a 0.46% CSOGood increase and 0.28% CSOPoor decrease. Median eCSC was 36.7% (IQR 30.2-50.6%), approximately one-third lower than the median CSC. Women tended to fare worse than men, and gender inequality was slightly higher for eCSC (4.6% IQR 0.5-7.1%) than for CSC (median 2.3% IQR -1.5-11.6%).

CONCLUSION

eCSC allows monitoring of quality in conjunction with coverage of cataract surgery. In the surveys analysed, on average 36.7% of people who could benefit from cataract surgery had undergone surgery and obtained a good visual outcome.

Factors influencing eye-care seeking behaviour of parents for their children in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

The eye-care seeking behaviour of parents for their children has a role to play in increasing or reducing the prevalence of childhood blindness. In Nigeria, little or no work has been done in this area. Hence, this study was carried out with a view to assisting eye-care professionals plan better program regimens and also to help them identify various elements that either facilitate or hinder eye-care seeking behaviour of parents for their school age children.

METHODS

This was a qualitative narrative study. Data were collected using in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). Thirty-five parents and 10 eye-care practitioners were selected by random sampling and homogenous sampling methods, respectively. Parents were selected, based on those who sought care and those who did not seek care for their children after a school screening exercise. Collected data were analysed qualitatively by transcribing the voice recordings of interview sessions into textual data and themes were raised.

RESULTS

Four FGDs and 13 IDIs were conducted. Parents were more likely to seek care for manifest conditions than for conditions they could not perceive. A family history of ocular disease and repetitiveness of complaints facilitated parents to seek eye care for their children. The cost of eye-care services was a major barrier. Logistics such as fixing a doctor's appointment, getting time off work and long waiting periods at the clinic were also reported as barriers. Fear of treatment options and family interferences were also mentioned.

CONCLUSION

Parents have some concerns and challenges in seeking eye care for their children. This study recommends that more work be done through planned awareness programs to educate parents and help them overcome the concerns and barriers that hinder them from seeking eye care for their children.

Results and safety profile of trainee cataract surgeons in a community setting in East Africa

Purpose:

To evaluate the results and safety profile of assistant medical officer ophthalmologists (AMO-O) performing cataract surgery in the last stage of their surgical training, before their appointment to local communities.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients who underwent cataract surgery by AMO-Os at Dar es Salaam, Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation for Tanzania Disability Hospital between September 2008 and June 2011. Surgical options were either extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) or manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS), both with polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lens implantation.

Results:

Four hundred and fourteen patients were included in the study. Two hundred and twenty-five (54%) underwent ECCE and 189 had MSICS. Mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) improved from 2.4 ± 0.6 preoperatively to 1.3 ± 0.8 1 week postoperatively (t-test, P < 0.001) and to 1.1 ± 0.7 3 months postoperatively (t-test, P < 0.001). Mean logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.7 ± 0.5 1 week postoperatively and 0.6 ± 0.5 3 months postoperatively. There was no significant difference in mean logMAR UCVA (P = 0.7) and BCVA (P = 0.7) postoperatively between ECCE and MSICS. 89.5% achieved BCVA better than 6/60 and 57.3% better than 6/18 with a follow-up of 3 months. Posterior capsule rupture and/or vitreous loss occurred in 34/414 patients (8.2%) and was more frequent (P = 0.047) in patients undergoing ECCE (10.2%) compared with MSICS (5.3%).

Conclusion:

AMO-O cataract surgeons at the end of their training offer significant improvement in the visual acuity of their patients. Continuous monitoring of outcomes will guide further improvements in surgical skills and minimize complications.

Cataract Surgery Visual Outcomes and Associated Risk Factors in Secondary Level Eye Care Centers of L V Prasad Eye Institute, India

PURPOSE

To evaluate cataract surgery visual outcomes and associated risk factors in rural secondary level eye care centers of L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), India.

METHODS

The Eye Health pyramid of LVPEI has a network of rural secondary care centres (SCs) and attached vision centres (VCs) that provide high quality comprehensive eye care with permanent infrastructure to the most disadvantaged sections of society. The most common procedure performed at SCs is cataract surgery. We audited the outcome of a random sample of 2,049 cataract surgeries done from October 2009-March 2010 at eight rural SCs. All patients received a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, both before and after surgery. The World Health Organization recommended cataract surgical record was used for data entry. Visual outcomes were measured at discharge, 1-3 weeks and 4-11 weeks follow up visits. Poor outcome was defined as best corrected visual acuity <6/18.

RESULTS

Mean age was 61.8 years (SD: 8.9 years) and 1,133 (55.3%) surgeries were performed on female patients. Pre-existing ocular co-morbidity was present in 165 patients (8.1%). The most common procedure was small incision cataract surgery (SICS) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (91.8%). Intraoperative complications were seen in 29 eyes (1.4%). At the 4-11 weeks follow-up visit, based on presenting visual acuity (PVA), 61.8% had a good outcome and based on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), 91.7% had a good outcome. Based on PVA and BCVA, those with less than 6/60 were only 2.9% and 1.6% respectively. Using multivariable analysis, poor visual outcomes were significantly higher in patients aged ≥70 (OR 4.63; 95% CI 1.61, 13.30), in females (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.04, 2.41), those with preoperative comorbidities (odds ratio 4.68; 95% CI 2.90, 7.57), with intraoperative complications (OR 8.01; 95% CI 2.91, 22.04), eyes that underwent no IOL or anterior chamber-IOL (OR 12.63; 95% CI 2.65, 60.25) and those undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction (OR 9.39; 95% CI 1.18, 74.78).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that quality cataract surgeries can be achieved at rural SCs. The concept of the LVPEI SCs can be applied to other developing countries, allowing rural patients to attain better vision through cataract surgery. Despite improvements in quality of cataract surgery, gender discrimination in terms of outcome continues to be an issue and needs further investigation.

Gendered Disparities in Quality of Cataract Surgery in a Marginalised Population in Pakistan: The Karachi Marine Fishing Communities Eye and General Health Survey

Background

Marine fishing communities are among the most marginalised and hard-to-reach groups and have been largely neglected in health research. We examined the quality of cataract surgery and its determinants, with an emphasis on gender, in marine fishing communities in Karachi, Pakistan, using multiple indicators of performance.

Methods and Findings

The Karachi Marine Fishing Communities Eye and General Health Survey was a door-to-door, cross-sectional study conducted between March 2009 and April 2010 in fishing communities living on 7 islands and in coastal areas in Keamari, Karachi, located on the Arabian Sea. A population-based sample of 638 adults, aged ≥ 50 years, was studied. A total of 145 eyes (of 97 persons) had undergone cataract surgery in this sample. Cataract surgical outcomes assessed included vision (presenting and best-corrected with a reduced logMAR chart), satisfaction with surgery, astigmatism, and pupil shape. Overall, 65.5% of the operated eyes had some form of visual loss (presenting visual acuity [PVA] < 6/12). 55.2%, 29.0%, and 15.9% of these had good, borderline, and poor visual outcomes based on presenting vision; with best correction, these values were: 68.3 %, 18.6%, and 13.1%, respectively. Of 7 covariates evaluated in the multivariable generalized estimating equations (GEE) analyses, gender was the only significant independent predictor of visual outcome. Women’s eyes were nearly 4.38 times more likely to have suboptimal visual outcome (PVA<6/18) compared with men’s eyes (adjusted odds ratio 4.38, 95% CI 1.96-9.79; P<0.001) after adjusting for the effect of household financial status. A higher proportion of women’s than men’s eyes had an irregular pupil (26.5% vs. 14.8%) or severe/very severe astigmatism (27.5% vs. 18.2%). However, these differences did not reach statistical significance. Overall, more than one fourth (44/144) of cataract surgeries resulted in dissatisfaction. The only significant predictor of satisfaction was visual outcome (P <0.001).

Conclusions

The quality of cataract surgery in this marginalised population, especially among women, falls well below the WHO recommended standards. Gender disparities, in particular, deserve proactive attention in policy, service delivery, research and evaluation.

Are we monitoring the quality of cataract surgery services? A qualitative situation analysis of attitudes and practices in a large city in South Africa

PURPOSE

To evaluate the current quality "assurance" and "improvement" mechanisms, the knowledge, attitudes and practices of cataract surgeons in a large South African city.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 17 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with ophthalmologists in June 2012 at 2 tertiary institutions in the Republic of South Africa. Recruitment of the purposive sample was supplemented by snowball sampling. The study participants were 5 general ophthalmologists and 2 pediatric ophthalmologists; 4 senior and 4 junior registrars and a medical officer. Participants were interviewed by a trained qualitative interviewer. The interview lasted between 20 and 60 min. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed for thematic content.

RESULTS

Mechanisms for quality assurance were trainee logbooks and subjective senior staff observation. Clinicians were encouraged, but not obliged to self-audit. Quality improvement is incentivized by personal integrity and ambition. Poorly performing departments are inconspicuous, especially nationally, and ophthalmologists rely on the impression to gauge the quality of service provided by colleagues. Currently, word of mouth is the method for determining the better cataract surgical centers.

CONCLUSION

The quality assurance mechanisms were dependent on insight and integrity of the individual surgeons. No structures were described that would ensure the detection of surgeons with higher than expected complication rates. Currently, audits are not enforced, and surgical outcomes are not well monitored due to concerns that this may lead to lack of openness among ophthalmologists.

Prevalence of blindness and diabetic retinopathy in northern Jordan

PURPOSE

To estimate the prevalence of blindness, visual impairment, diabetes, and diabetic retinopathy in north Jordan (Irbid) using the rapid assessment of avoidable blindness and diabetic retinopathy methodology.

METHODS

A multistage cluster random sampling technique was used to select participants for this survey. A total of 108 clusters were selected using probability proportional to size method while subjects within the clusters were selected using compact segment method. Survey teams moved from house to house in selected segments examining residents 50 years and older until 35 participants were recruited. All eligible people underwent a standardized examination protocol, which included ophthalmic examination and random blood sugar test using digital glucometers (Accu-Chek) in their homes. Diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients was assessed through dilated fundus examination.

RESULTS

A total of 3638 out of the 3780 eligible participants were examined. Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of blindness, severe visual impairment, and visual impairment with available correction were 1.33% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87-1.73), 1.82% (95% CI 1.35-2.25), and 9.49% (95% CI 8.26-10.74), respectively, all higher in women. Untreated cataract and diabetic retinopathy were the major causes of blindness, accounting for 46.7% and 33.2% of total blindness cases, respectively. Glaucoma was the third major cause, accounting for 8.9% of cases. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 28.6% (95% CI 26.9-30.3) among the study population and higher in women. The prevalence of any retinopathy among diabetic patients was 48.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Cataract and diabetic retinopathy are the 2 major causes of blindness and visual impairment in northern Jordan. For both conditions, women are primarily affected, suggesting possible limitations to access to services. A diabetic retinopathy screening program needs to proactively create sex-sensitive awareness and provide easily accessible screening services with prompt treatment.

Visual outcome after cataract surgery at the university college hospital, ibadan

Aim:

The aim of this study was to determine the visual outcome of patients who had cataract surgery in the University College Hospital Ibadan.

Methodology:

This is an observational descriptive, longitudinal study of consecutive patients undergoing cataract surgery at the University College Hospital conducted between May and October 2007. A total of 184 patients who presented to the hospital and met the inclusion criteria were recruited into the study. Patients were examined preoperatively, 1st day postoperatively and 8th week postoperatively.

Results:

The mean age was 66.5 years; and the male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Preoperatively, 137 patients (74.5%) were blind in the operated eye, while 39 patients (23.6%) were blind in both eyes at presentation. At 1st day postoperatively, 87 patients (47.3%) had pinhole visual acuity of 6/6-6/18. Best corrected vision after refraction eight weeks postoperatively showed that 127 patients out of 161 patients (78.8%) had good vision while 28 patients (17.4%) had borderline vision, and six patients (3.8%) had severe visual impairment after refraction. The number of bilaterally blind patients also reduced from 39 (23.6%) to one (0.6%). Uncorrected refractive error was the commonest cause of poor vision prior to refraction. Glaucoma was the commonest ocular co-morbidity accounting for poor vision in 9.1% of patients eight weeks after cataract surgery.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that good results can be obtained with cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation in the developing world. More attention should be directed towards ensuring that successful outcomes are indeed being realized by continued monitoring of postoperative visual outcomes and prompt refraction for all patients.

Prevalence and causes of vision loss in sub-Saharan Africa: 1990-2010

AIM

To estimate the magnitude, temporal trends and subregional variation in the prevalence of blindness, and moderate/severe vision impairment (MSVI) in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted of published and unpublished population-based surveys as part of the Global Burden of Disease, Risk Factors and Injuries Study 2010. The prevalence of blindness and vision impairment by country and subregion was estimated.

RESULTS

In sub-Saharan Africa, 52 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. The estimated age-standardised prevalence of blindness decreased by 32% from 1.9% (95% CI 1.5% to 2.2%) in 1990 to 1.3% (95% CI 1.1% to 1.5%) in 2010 and MSVI by 25% from 5.3% (95% CI 0.2% to 0.3%) to 4.0% (95% CI 0.2% to 0.3%) over that time. However, there was a 16% increase in the absolute numbers with blindness and a 28% increase in those with MSVI. The major causes of blindness in 2010 were; cataract 35%, other/unidentified causes 33.1%, refractive error 13.2%, macular degeneration 6.3%, trachoma 5.2%, glaucoma 4.4% and diabetic retinopathy 2.8%. In 2010, age-standardised prevalence of MSVI in Africa was 3.8% (95% CI 3.1% to 4.7%) for men and 4.2% (95% CI 3.6% to 5.3%) for women with subregional variations from 4.1% (95% CI 3.3% to 5.4%) in West Africa to 2.0% (95% CI 1.5% to 3.3%) in southern Africa for men; and 4.7% (95% CI 3.9% to 6.0%) in West Africa to 2.3% (95% CI 1.7% to 3.8%) in southern Africa for women.

CONCLUSIONS

The age-standardised prevalence of blindness and MSVI decreased substantially from 1990 to 2010, although there was a moderate increase in the absolute numbers with blindness or MSVI. Significant subregional and gender disparities exist.

Outcomes and projected impact on vision restoration of the China Million Cataract Surgeries Program

PURPOSE

The recently completed Chinese "Million Cataract Surgeries Program" (MCSP) is among the largest such campaigns ever, providing 1.05 million operations. We report MCSP outcomes for the first time, in Jiangxi, the province with the greatest program output.

METHODS

Ten county hospitals participating in MCSP were selected in Jiangxi (range of gross domestic product per capita US$743-2998). Each hospital sought to enroll 75 consecutive MCSP patients aged ≥ 50 years. Data recorded included type of cataract procedure, bilateral uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and refractive error pre- and ≥ 50 days postoperatively.

RESULTS

Among 715 patients (mean age 72.3 ± 9.1 years, 55.5% female), preoperative UCVA was <3/60 (legally blind) bilaterally in 13.3% and unilaterally in the operated eye in 50.9%. No subjects had UCVA >6/18 preoperatively. Small incision cataract surgery was performed in 92.3% patients. Among 662 patients (92.6%) completing follow-up was ≥ 40 days after surgery, BCVA was ≥ 6/18 in 80.1%, UCVA was ≥ 6/18 in 57.1% and UCVA was <3/60 in 2.1%. Older age (p < 0.001), female sex (p = 0.04), worse refractive error (p = 0.02) and presence of intra- (p = 0.002) and postoperative surgical complications (p < 0.001), were independently associated with worse postoperative UCVA. Based on these results, the MCSP cured an estimated 124,950 cases (13.3% × [100-2.1%] × 1.05 million) of bilateral and 502,500 (50.9% × [100-2.1%] × 1.05 million) of unilateral blindness.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to relatively good outcomes and the large number of surgeries performed on blind persons, the sight-restoring impact of the MCSP was probably substantial.

Blindness and visual impairment due to age-related cataract in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of recent population-based studies

AIM

We aimed to evaluate age-related cataract as a contributor to blindness and visual impairment (VI) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

METHODS

A systematic review of population-based studies published between 2000 and October 2012. Prevalence and proportions of blindness and VI due to cataract, cataract surgical coverage (CSC), per cent intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and visual outcomes of surgery in accordance with WHO criteria were ascertained.

RESULTS

Data from 17 surveys (subjects mostly aged ≥ 50-years-old) from 15 different countries in SSA were included, comprising 96 402 people. Prevalence of blindness (presenting visual acuity <3/60 in better eye) ranged from 0.1% in Uganda to 9.0% in Eritrea, and the proportion of total blindness due to cataract ranged between 21% and 67%. Cataract was the principal cause of blindness and VI in 15 and 14 studies, respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between good visual outcomes and IOL use (R=0.69, p=0.027). Considerable inter-study heterogeneity was evident in CSC and visual outcomes following surgery, and between 40% and 100% of operations had used IOL.

CONCLUSIONS

Cataract represents the principal cause of blindness and VI and should remain a priority objective for eye care in SSA. However, the prevalence of blindness and VI due to cataract was variable and may reflect differences in the availability of cataract surgical programmes and cataract incidence.

The challenges in improving outcome of cataract surgery in low and middle income countries

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness globally and surgery is the only known measure to deal with it effectively. Providing high quality cataract surgical services is critical if patients with cataract are to have their sight restored. A key focus of surgery is the outcome of the procedure. In cataract surgery this is measured predominantly, using visual acuity. Population- and hospital-based studies have revealed that the visual outcome of cataract surgery in many low and middle income settings is frequently sub-optimal, often failing to reach the recommended standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Another way of measuring outcome of cataract surgery is to ask patients for their views on whether surgery has changed the functioning of their eyes and their quality of life. There are different tools available to capture patient views and now, these patient-reported outcomes are becoming more widely used. This paper discusses the visual outcome of cataract surgery and frames the outcome of surgery within the context of the surgical service, suggesting that the process and outcome of care cannot be separated. It also discusses the components of patient-reported outcome tools and describes some available tools in more detail. Finally, it describes a hierarchy of challenges that need to be addressed before a high quality cataract surgical service can be achieved.

Outcomes of manual small-incision cataract surgery using standard 22 dioptre intraocular lenses at Nkhoma Eye Hospital, Malawi

The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of sutureless, manual small-incision cataract surgery (SICS) in rural sub-Saharan Africa using standard intraocular lenses (IOLs). In order to assess the quality of surgery, we prospectively evaluated the visual outcomes of 1455 consecutive cataract operations performed in 2006 in patients ≥40 years at Nkhoma Eye Hospital, Malawi. All operations used standard 22-dioptre IOLs without pre-operative biometry. Outcomes were categorised according to the World Health Organization criteria, and causes of a poor outcome were recorded. Mean age of patients was 71.5 ± 9.5 years, and 53 % were female. Pre-operatively, 64 % of eyes had a visual acuity (VA) <6/60, and 41.3 % of eyes were blind (VA < 3/60). Without correction (uncorrected VA), nearly eighty percent (78.7 %) achieved a 'good' outcome (VA 6/6-6/18), 19.8 % were 'borderline' (VA < 6/18-6/60), and 1.5 % had a poor (VA < 6/60) outcome. With pinhole-correction, the proportion of good outcomes increased to 89.4 %, and poor outcomes decreased to 0.9 %. Poor outcomes were most commonly due to ocular co-morbidities (54.5 %) and refractive error (36.4 %). Older age and pre-operative blindness were strongly associated with borderline or poor visual outcomes. The most common surgical complication was posterior capsule tear (without vitreous loss). In a rural African environment, using standard IOL power plus SICS can lead to a high proportion of good outcomes and a low frequency of surgical complications. A comparative study is required to determine if any additional benefit in visual outcomes can be gained by the addition of biometry.

Preoperative visual acuity among cataract surgery patients and countries' state of development: a global study

OBJECTIVE

To describe the preoperative surgical case mix among patients undergoing cataract extraction and explore associations between case mix, country level of development (as measured by the Human Development Index, HDI) and cataract surgery rates (CSRs).

METHODS

Ophthalmologists in 50 countries were invited to join the newly-established International Eye Research Network and asked to complete a web-based questionnaire about their eye hospitals. Those who complied received a data collection form for recording demographic and clinical data on 100 consecutive patients about to undergo cataract surgery. Countries were ranked into five HDI categories and multivariable regression was used to explore associations.

FINDINGS

Ophthalmologists at 112 eye hospitals (54% of them nongovernmental) in 50 countries provided data on 11,048 cataract procedures over 9 months in 2008. Patients whose visual acuity (VA) before surgery was < 6/60 in the better eye comprised 47% of the total case mix in poorly developed countries and 1% in developed countries (P < 0.001). Overall, 72% of the eyes undergoing surgery had a VA < 6/60. Very low VA before cataract surgery was strongly associated with poor development at the country level and inversely associated with national CSR.

CONCLUSION

The proportion of patients with very poor preoperative VA is a simple indicator that can be easily measured periodically to monitor progress in ophthalmological services. Additionally, the internet can be an effective tool for developing and supporting an ophthalmological research network capable of providing a global snapshot of service activity, particularly in developing countries.

Cataract surgical outcomes in diabetic patients: case control study

PURPOSE

To determine the visual outcome of cataract surgery in diabetes mellitus with advanced cataract in a tertiary institution in Nigeria.

DESIGN

A retrospective case control study conducted at the University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria.

SUBJECTS

Twenty three consecutive patients with diabetes and 23 age and sex matched non-diabetic control patients who had extracapsular cataract extraction for advanced cataract between 2002-2005.

MAIN OUTCOME

Mean post operative visual acuity and surgical complications.

RESULTS

Twenty three patients with diabetes mellitus and 23 non diabetic controls were studied; mean duration of diabetes was 8.1 +/- 7.2 years. The mean post operative visual acuity in diabetics was 0.11+/-0.38, 0.33+/-0.57 and 0.38+/-0.49 at one week, two months and six months compared with 0.23+/-0.19, 0.46+/-0.37 and 0.48+/-0.31 in non diabetics. (p=0.207, 0.403 and 0.465 respectively). Improvement in preoperative visual acuity was noted in 84.2% and 90% in diabetics and non-diabetics respectively. Poor visual outcome in diabetics was mainly due to diabetic retinopathy, maculopathy or diabetes related surgical complications.

CONCLUSION

Visual improvement was seen following surgery for advanced cataract in diabetics in this study population. Post operative monitoring for treatment of diabetic retinopathy may enhance visual outcome.

Monitoring cataract surgical outcome in a Nigerian mission hospital

AIM

To evaluate the visual outcome of cataract operations in a Nigerian mission hospital.

METHODS

The computer system cataract surgery record forms were used to collect data on the first 100 consecutive cataract surgeries performed in January and part of February 2003 at a Nigerian mission hospital, Mercy Eye Centre, Abak.

RESULTS

There were 54 males and 30 females (100 eyes). Sixteen patients had bilateral cataract. The mean age was 58.45 years (SD 13.58). Four patients were hypertensive, 3 diabetic, 2 both hypertensive and diabetic; and also 2 both hypertensive and asthmatic. Four patients had post-uveitic cataract, 3 traumatic cataract, 1 subluxated cataract not related to trauma and the rest had age-related cataract. One patient each had age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. Only 42 patients (49 eyes) kept with their follow-up visits until 12 weeks post-operatively. Among these, pin hole or corrected visual acuity of 6/6-6/18 was achieved in 35.4%, <6/18-6/60 in 50%, and <6/60 in 14.6%. Almost half of those with poor outcome were attributed to inappropriate selection.

CONCLUSION

The main cause of poor visual outcome in our centre is unsuspected co-morbidity. In spite of this, there is potential for good quality cataract surgery in Africa. As we pay more attention to appropriate patient selection we expect our outcome to improve. Provision of facilities for biometry would also be a great help in this direction.

The surgical management of cataract: barriers, best practices and outcomes

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world. Cataract surgery has been shown by multiple studies to be one of the most cost-effective health interventions, and leads to a dramatic increase in quality of life and productivity for many patients. Though there has been marked improvement in the last several decades, surgical delivery services in developing nations are still suboptimal, and a large backlog in cataract cases continues to grow. To decrease this backlog, barriers to surgery, such as direct and indirect patient costs, geographic access to surgical facilities and surgeons, cultural factors, and patient education, must be addressed. In particular, access to services by women and rural patients needs to be improved. It is clear that extracapsular techniques are cost-effective and lead to better post-operative outcomes than intracapsular cataract extraction with aphakic correction. In addition, monitoring surgical outcomes is essential for improving the quality of surgical services. However, other issues regarding the delivery of cataract surgical services, including the role of average power intraocular lenses and the role of non-physician surgeons, are yet unresolved. Information about the true cost of surgery, including costs of surgeon training, equipment, and patient outreach programs, is needed so that the goal of self-sustaining programs may be obtained.