Determinants of Visual Outcome of Cataract Surgery at a Secondary Eye-Health Facility in Yola, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: A good visual outcome will motivate other cataract patients to have surgery; poor results will discourage them and lead to underutilization of services and an increase in the burden of blindness. Hence, the critical need to study the determinants of the outcome especially in Yola with a heavy burden of cataract blindness. The aim of this study is to evaluate the determinants of visual outcome following cataract surgery in Yola, Adamawa State. Methodology: A 5-month hospital-based prospective study conducted in a secondary hospital, from 1st February to June 30th, 2023, using pretested questionnaires to collect the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients. Other information collected was VA before surgery and 6 weeks after surgery and postoperative optical correction needs of the patients. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 18. Results: 521 cataract patients were recruited for this study; 432 patients turned up for follow-up and had complete information for postoperative analysis at 6 weeks (response rate 83%). There were 206 males and 226 females, with the age range between 40 and 90 years and a mean of 58.0 years. Overall postoperative visual outcome using WHO guidelines showed that the majority, 380 (88%), of the operated eyes had presenting visual acuity of 6/18 or better, while 4 (0.9%) of the operated eyes had visual acuity worse than 6/60. Post-operative outcome was satisfactory in 88% and 96.7% with available correction and pinhole, respectively. Conclusion: Good patient selection and quality cataract surgery offered ensured a good visual outcome among the study participants in proportions that met the set WHO criteria. Measures to maintain and even improve upon the achieved cataract visual outcomes in the hospital are to be put in place.