A Study on Current Visual Status among Subjects of Post Cataract Surgery (IOL) in Selected Urban Field Practice Area -Chidambaram, South India

Cataract is a highly treatable condition due to advances in cataract surgery, procedures and intraocular lens design. Currently 90% of the cataract surgeries are performed with intraocular lens (IOL). The aim of cataract surgery to improve visual function which also improves overall quality of life. The objectives were to find out the current visual outcome among subjects of post cataract surgery (IOL) over a period of 3 to 10 years and correlate visual outcome with selected variables. A community based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in selected urban field practice area of Rajah Muthaiah Medical College and Hospital from December 2015 to August 2016. Totally 120 subjects underwent cataract surgery were included in the study. The socio-demographic data and details regarding the surgery were collected using a pretested proforma and visual acuity was measured by Snellen’s chart. The visual acuity has been classified namely good, borderline and poor. The majority of the subjects were in the age group of 46-60 years (65%). 87 were females (72.5%) and 49 were illiterate (40.8%). Among these subjects 83 were homemakers (69.2%), 96 (80%) underwent surgery in institution (picked up through camp). 10.8% had complications immediately after surgery, 50% study subjects had a history of chronic diseases, such as DM, HT or both. Visual acuity measured as good vision (6/66/18) 54.2%, borderline vision (<6/18-6/60) 33.3% and poor vision (<6/60-unable to appreciate hand movements) 12.5%. 12.5% of the post cataract surgery (IOL) subjects had poor vision. 30% of the subjects those who had cataract surgery (IOL) surgery more than 5 years ago has poor vision.