Aruotu N and UzoDike EB
Clinical cards of all cataract patients operated on in the eye centre of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) between 2002 and 2006 were studied. The study comprised 114 eyes of 100 patients who had cataract surgeries done within the 5-year period of this study. The age of the patients ranged from 6 months to 94 years with mean age of 58.84±19.57years. Data obtained from the clinical files include patient’s age, sex, type of surgery carried out with or without intraocular lens implant (IOL), the eye concerned, and post-operative refraction (objectively and subjectively) at 12 weeks among others. Of 114 eyes, 83 eyes (72.8%) had refraction postoperatively. The total number with astigmatism was 59 giving 71.08%. Against the rule, astigmatism (ATR) was found in 69.49%, with the rule astigmatism (WTR) in 20.73% while 10.16% had oblique astigmatism. The mean post-operative astigmatism was 1.85 Dioptric Cylinder (DC). Astigmatism was highest with extra capsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber IOL (ECCE+PCIOL; 44.07%). Astigmatism less than 2D was highest in those with ECCE+IOL (33.89%) followed by ECCE only (23.73%). Least astigmatism of any type and degree was found in those that had intra capsular cataract extraction with anterior chamber IOL (ICCE+ACIOL). ECCE+PCIOL (33.89%) surgeries were carried out mostly on patients 60 years and below while ECCE (23.73%) surgeries only were carried out mostly on those above 60 years. Post operative astigmatism can be reduced with better operating skills using small incision sutureless techniques. Existing postoperative astigmatism can be reduced by suture cutting at specific periods particularly if there is follow-up at the critical periods.
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