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Traumatic cataract results in Mogadishu, Somalia: results of 36 cases

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First Author: M.Kalayci TURKEY

Co Author(s):    E. Cetinkaya   E. Suren   M. Erol              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

In this study we aimed to evaluate the causes, treatments and visual outcomes of traumatic cataracts that applied to the tertiary health facility in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

Setting:

Somalia Mogadishu – Turkey Education and Research Hospital Ophthalmology Department

Methods:

Patients who underwent phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract surgery (ECCE) due to traumatic cataract between October 2019 - February 2020 were evaluated for postoperative visual results, intra-operative and post-operative complications and cause of trauma.

Results:

The mean age of 36 traumatic cataract patients operated during this period was 27 ± 14.7. Nine of the cases were children under the age of 18. Corneal trauma was accompanied by 13 (36.1%) of the cases, while the most common reason was the insertion of shrapnel due to bomb explosion. The preoperative best visual acuity avarage was 3/60 and the post-operative best visual acuity avarage was 6/12 (according to WHO classification) [logMAR=1.30 and 0.30, respectively]. The most common intraoperative complications were iris prolapse (13.9%) and posterior capsule rupture (11.1%). The most common postoperative complication was transient corneal edema (13.9%).

Conclusions:

Eye injury and traumatic cataracts are common in Somalia due to internal confusion and terrorist events. Despite the progress in micro - ophthalmic surgery, patients' access to traumatic cataract surgery in underdeveloped countries remains an important problem. Early treatment and regular follow-up give good visual results in patients with traumatic cataract.

Financial Disclosure:

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