Early results of cataract surgery at mechi eye care centre in Nepal.

Mechi zone is located in the eastern region of Nepal and has a population of 1.2 million. According to the Nepal Blindness Survey in 1981 the prevalence of blindness in this zone was 0.64%. The most important cause of blindness in Nepal was cataract, accounting for two thirds of NepalÕs blindness. The people of the eastern region of Nepal had to go either to the neighbouring zone or across the border to India for detailed ocular examination and intraocular surgery. Since the Mechi Eye Care Centre was established, on 1 December 1996, it has provided the facilities for ocular examination and for surgery. Cataract surgery is the main operation performed in the Centre. In this study we included the total cataract operations performed in our Centre during the period 1 December 1996 to 15 May 1998. We have not included the data of cataract operations carried out as part of the outreach activities of the Mechi Eye Care Centre.