Safety and efficacy of manual small-incision cataract surgery in patients with brunescent and black cataracts and other ocular comorbidities

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the safety and efficacy of manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) for brunescent and black cataracts in patients with other ocular comorbidities. Methods: Medical records of patients with hard cataracts (grade 4 nuclear opalescence and above) with other ocular comorbidities such as spheroidal degeneration of the cornea (SDC), pseudoexfoliation (PXF), non-dilating pupil, and high myopia who underwent MSICS were retrieved retrospectively. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were noted. Preoperative and postoperative visual outcome comparisons were performed using paired t-tests. Statistical significance was set at P 6/18, 16.9% had a borderline vision (6/18–6/60), and 5.6% had a poor vision (<6/60). No serious complications were observed. One patient had posterior capsular rent in a case of high myopia, and two cases had zonular dialysis for pseudoexfoliation. Conclusion: MSICS with intraocular lens implantation is safe and effective in eyes with brunescent/black cataracts if associated with SDC, PXF, high myopia, and non-dilating pupils and provides good visual outcomes with minimal complications.

Keywords

• black cataract
• brunescent cataract
• hard cataract
• phacoemulsification
• small-incision cataract surgery