Extracapsular Cataract Extraction in Nepal

Abstract

• We evaluated the 2-year outcome of extracapsular cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens insertion by a single fellowship-trained surgeon in Kathmandu, Nepal. Six hundred ten eyes were followed up for 2 years. Patients underwent manual irrigation and aspiration with the insertion of a modified J loop posterior chamber intraocular lens. Almost half of the patients had uncorrected visual acuities of 20/50 or better after surgery. Sight-threatening complications in seven eyes (1.2%) included retinal detachment, corneal decompensation, and endophthalmitis. Although this rate is comparable to that in developed countries, 21% of patients had posterior capsular opacification at follow-up. Extracapsular cataract surgery with intraocular lens insertion may be an alternative to intracapsular cataract surgery in developing nations, where aphakic spectacles are expensive, not easily obtainable, or difficult to replace.