VISUAL OUTCOME AFTER CATARACT SURGERY AT BENGHAZI OPHTHALMOLOGY TEACHING HOSPITAL

Dr. Suliman Nashad and Mutaz Mohamed Ali*

ABSTRACT

Background: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness and the second leading cause of visual impairment worldwide, accounting for 51% and 33% of all cases, respectively, in low- and medium-income countries bearing a disproportionately high burden. Aim of the study: The objective of the study was to evaluate the visual outcome of age-related cataract surgery and identify factors associated with patients‘ postoperative visual outcomes in Benghazi teaching eye hospital, Benghazi university, Libya. Patients & Methods: This cross sectional study was performed in the department of ophthalmology, Benghazi university during the period from December 2023 to March 2024 (4 months) on 40 patients over 40 years who underwent cataract surgery during the study period. Data were collected from medical records on age, gender and visual acuity. Results: The mean age was 56 ± 4.3, the high percent of cataract was in the older age group (51-60, 35%). Preoperative Comorbidities in operated eye was present in 18 patients (45%). Preoperative visual acuity and outcome of cataract surgeries at different follow-up visit. At 3 months follow-up visit, 36 patients (90%) had good outcome, those with less than 6/60 were only one patient (2.5%). The most common early post operative complication that occurred in 2 patients (54%) eyes was cornea edema, while last surgical complications occurred only in 2 patients (Vitreous loss and Macular oedema). Conclusion: this study shows good visual outcome of cataract surgeries performed in Libya. There is a potential for excellent surgical outcome in Libya if more attention is paid to uncorrected refractive error. The study highlights the need for improved post-operative visual monitoring after cataract surgery in Libya.

Keywords: Cataract surgery. Visual outcome, Astigmatism; Refractive errors.