PURPOSE

To report clinical characteristics and early postoperative outcomes of pediatric cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation from Lahan, Nepal.

METHODS

Demographics and surgical, preoperative, and postoperative clinical characteristics data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 2,633 eyes with primary IOL implantation, 2,003 eyes were in the non-traumatic group, whereas 630 eyes were from trauma. Median age at surgery was 7 and 9 years in the non-traumatic and traumatic groups, respectively. Boys comprised 74.2% of the non-traumatic and 85.4% of the traumatic cataract patients. Unilateral cataracts accounted for only 7.7% (154 of 2,003) of the non-traumatic group. Average follow-up was 35 days with greater than 6 months follow-up in 134 of 2,633 (5.1%) eyes. Most (68.5% [1,804 of 2,633]) of the lens opacities were described as total cataract. Although early postoperative best-corrected visual acuity improved from the preoperative recording in 95.0% (2,495 of 2,626) of eyes, 78.1% (2,050 of 2,626) remained in the poor (20/100 or worse) category. Median preoperative and early postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was hand motions and 20/200, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A high-volume cataract surgical center in Lahan, Nepal, is able to provide cost-effective and high-quality pediatric surgery. Most of the patients in this series were noted to have complete cataracts and were boys. Visual improvement was achieved, but excellent visual outcomes were rarely documented due to late referral and inadequate follow-up. Educating families and primary caregivers with regard to the importance of earlier referral and postoperative optical correction and tracking will improve outcomes.