Objective: To assess visual acuity after cataract extraction and implantation of intraocular lens inpaediatric patients presenting to tertiary care hospital.
Study: Retrospective hospital based study.
Place and Duration: Ophthalmology Department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi from January, 2016 to December, 2018.
Material and Method: This retrospective study was carried out at Ophthalmology Department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. A total of 147 eyes of children aged between 1-15 years, diagnosed with congenital cataract were included. All patients underwent cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. Data on patient demographics, preoperative visual acuity, intraoperative complications and postoperative visual acuity was obtained. Outcome was assessed on the basis of improvement in visual acuity after cataract surgery.
Result: Data entry and analysis was done on SPSS version 20. Total 147 eyes were included in our study according to inclusion criteria. Mean age of patients was 6.33 years. Preoperatively visual acuity was less than 6/60 in 94% and better in 6%. Postoperatively 64.9% had vision better than 6/24 and 35.1% had less than 6/24.
Conculsion: This study concludes that early cataract surgery in paediatric population gives good visual outcomes whereas delay in presentation leads to suboptimal visual rehabilitation.