Retrospective analysis of visual acuity and final refraction after phacoemulsification surgery with intra- or postoperative complications

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of complications intra- and postoperative (until the 30th day) of phacoemulsification surgery performed by residents of the third year, and its implications on final refraction and best-corrected visual acuity (VA), compared to those who did not exhibit any complication. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 300 medical records of patients who had their surgeries performed from January 2019 to February 2020 by the same three third-year residents. Fifty medical records were excluded. Initial VA logarithm of the minimum resolution angle and final VA with the best correction were analyzed, comparing whether there was a correlation with the presence of complications. Results: Of the 250 medical records analyzed, 29 (11.6%) presented complications during the intraoperative period, been posterior capsule rupture the mean one. The mean VA of patients without complications was 0.13 ± 0.17 (0.00–1.00) compared to 0.29 ± 0.28 (0.00–1.00) for those who had complications. The spherical equivalent of those without complications was −0.87 ± 0.98 (−4.38–2.00) compared to −1.19 ± 1.14 (−3.75–0.50) of the that had. Conclusion: As shown in this study, the percentage of complications is compatible with those found in the literature, also exhibits that surgeries with complications do imply in worst VA. However, when compared among themselves, before and after surgery, there was a significant improvement in the VA even in patients with complications.

Keywords

• best visual acuity
• cataract
• complications
• final refraction
• phacoemulsification
• residents