Posters

What have we learnt from Dundee experience? Results of cataract surgeries in a rural setting in South Africa

Poster Details

First Author: M.Aslan TURKEY

Co Author(s):                        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

There are millions of cataract patients in need at the outreach areas. This problem can be solved with the common sense of ophthalmologists from all over the world. There is a long list of necessities for a successful cataract camp. We aimed to present our cataract surgery results and to share our experience in performing a cataract camp in a rural setting.

Setting:

Dundee Provincial Hospital, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa

Methods:

A team that consists of an eye surgeon, an optometrist, 6 surgical and 3 ophthalmic nurses and 4 porters performed 518 cataract surgeries in 40 days between October and December 2019. All patients were operated by using Oertli Catarhex 3 phacoemulsification machine under retrobulbar anesthesia. All patients had an eye examination that includes best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), non-contact tonometry, biometry, B-mode ultrasonography, screening for blood pressure, blood sugar levels, HIV, Hepatitis B and C preoperatively. BCVA and IOP values were recorded 1-week after surgeries.

Results:

173 male, 345 female patients were operated. The mean age of the patients was 69.33±10.1 years. The mean BCVA was 0.06±0.27 and the mean IOP was 14.34±2.16 mm-Hg, preoperatively. Mean BCVA increased to 0.68±0.23 1-week after surgeries. 43 patients were HIV(+). The most common intraocular lenses were 21D and 22D in 137 and 105 patients, respectively. There were 27 patients with lens subluxation and 8 of them were aphakic after surgeries. Posterior capsular rupture occurred in 6 patients. All patients received intracameral and subconjunctival antibiotics at the end of the surgeries. Endophthalmitis was not observed in any of the cases.

Conclusions:

Ergonomics, logistics, patient selection and post-operative care are the main headlines to accomplish a cataract camp. It is never possible to succeed without a dedicated team. Long cataract camps can also become stressful for volunteers but some easy tips to motivate the team may help to overcome the issues.

Financial Disclosure:

None