Visual, perceptual and cosmetic comfort in patients with bilateral cataract and blindness: charity programme within the EU

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: Cataract Surgery Special Cases

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 1

First Author: : D.Grupchev BULGARIA

Co Author(s): :    M. Radeva   T. Mihova   M. Stoeva   S. Nikolaeva   C. Grupcheva           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To identify patients with bilateral blindness from cataract and offer them visual rehabilitation in the fastest and most efficient manner utilizing standard phacoemulsification with modified pre and post-operative management

Setting:

Patients with vision of the better eye worse than 0.04 were recruited prospectively utilizing the media. The surgery was performed on the worse eye, where visual function was PPLC. The outcome measures were self-assessment of life quality, vision and refraction.

Methods:

After careful confirmation that the cataract was only pathology leading to low vision including. Examination included B scan ultrasonography to overrule any detectable changes in the posterior pole. Biometry and IOL calculation was made utilizing ultrasound technology and IOL was provided by a grant, free of charge for the patient. Patients were informed about the procedure and information consent was confirmed by a relative. Patient completed quality of life, modified questionnaire at enrolment, 7 and 30 days after the surgery.  The surgical technique was standard. Upon completion of surgery a therapeutic lens was inserted and kept for a week.

Results:

Ninety one eyes of 91 patients were operated for a period of 45 weeks. The mean age was 65±6 years with youngest patient being 43 and oldest 91. Immediate post-operative vision was 0.47±0.12, and increased to 0.56±0.23 at 1 week time and 0.67±0.21 at 4 weeks. Refractive error was within spherical equivalent 0.5D in 45% of cases and within 1.0D in 69%. The worse refractive surprise was +3.75D. Three lenses were exchanged within 2 weeks. Patients reported 78% of improvement of their life quality, with best rated self-independence. Post-operative pain was mild in only 6 cases.

Conclusions:

Surprisingly in Bulgaria there are patients who cannot afford the uncovered by health insurance intraocular implant, and they simply stay blind. In such cases the operation is difficult and more challenging but post-operative therapeutic lenses have benefit of fast recovery and decreased subjective symptoms of discomfort. Self-independence is the best rated outcome after successful cataract surgery and vision restoration of one eye.

Financial Disclosure:

None