Audit of exracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in a tertiary eye care center in Ethiopia.

A retrospective audit of records of 370 eyes of 315 patients for whom extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation (ECCE-PC IOL) was performed between 1998 and 1999 was made to determine postoperative visual outcome and complications. One hundred and ninety three patients were males and one hundred and seventy seven were females making a male to female ratio of 1:0.9. At two months postoperatively 82 (30.4%) of eyes had uncorrected visual acuity of 6/18 or better; while 176 (53.7%) of eyes attained an uncorrected visual acuity between 6/18 and 6/60, and 31 (11.5%) had visual acuity between 3/60 and 6/60. 340 of 358 (94.9%) had a preoperative visual acuity of < 3/60. As a result of the surgery, the percentage of blind eyes dropped from 94.9% to 4.4%. The commonest intra operative and early postoperative complications encountered were posterior capsular tear with vitreous loss (5.7%) and striate keratopathy (11.1%) respectively. Posterior capsular opacity was documented in 17 (4.6%) eyes as a late postoperative complication. Routine biometry, to calculate Intra ocular Lens (IOL) power was not done and this was the major limitation of the study. In conclusion, the study increases awareness of cataract surgery outcomes and provides a feedback to achieve better results both in terms of quality and quantity in cataract surgery. Further study with biometric measurement is recommended.