Visual outcome and complications of phacoemulsification and manual small incision cataract extraction for age related cataract

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare visual outcome and complications of manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) with posterior chamber IOL implantation (PC-IOL) and phacoemulsification with posterior chamber IOL implantation for age related cataract. The study compares the visual outcome and complications of MSICS and phacoemulsification with PC-IOL performed in 80 eyes at M & J Western Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (M&J WRIO) Ahmedabad, by assessing post operative Best corrected Visual acuity (BCVA), Surgically Induced astigmatism (SIA) and complications. This was an Institutional based cohort interventional randomized, prospective study. MSICS and Phacoemulsification was performed on 80 eyes at M & J WRIO. The intraoperative complications were documented. The parameters that were examined on 1 postoperative day, 1 week, and 6 weeks postoperatively included uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6 weeks, intra ocular pressure by non -contact tonometry and keratometry at 6 weeks to rule out SIA.Statistical analysis was performed using chi square test. p value <0.05 was taken as significant.: MSICS & phacoemulsification had similar visual outcomes post-operatively. Phacoemulsification group produced less mean SIA (1.27 D) compared to MSICS group (1.29 D) and lesser (5%) complications than the MSICS group (10%). The comparison of all three parameters was not statistically significant between the two groups.: Visual outcomes, SIA and complications were comparably the same in MSICS & phacoemulsification. Therefore, MSICS can be excellent alternative to phacoemulsification.