THE OUTCOME OF EXTRACAPSULAR AND PHACOEMULSIFICATION CATARACT EXTRACTIONS

This study was to evaluate the post operative astigmatism and visual acuity of patients after extra capsular extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification (PE) for the purpose of recommending the appropriate referral time for cataract extraction. Subject s hospital file data comprising 30 ECCE and 48 PE were collected and recorded according to gender and the technique employed in the surgical procedure. Patients with 6/60 visual acuity were included in the study. . The mean surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was 1.71 ± 1.5 for the ECCE group and 0.70 ± 0.80 for the PE procedure. . Patients with VA lesser than 6/60 ( 6/60) had 3.3% success rate with ECCE procedure and PE had 2.0% success rate. Patients with cataract and poor visual acuity (lesser than 6/36) should be referred immediately for cataract extraction and management. Key words: Cataract, Phacoemulsification, extra capsular extraction, astigmatism, visual acuity