Prospective study of hypermature cataract in Kanchipuram district: Causes of delayed presentation, risk of lens-induced glaucoma and visual prognosis

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the reasons for delayed presentation, lens-induced glaucoma (LIG) incidence, intra- and post-operative course and visual outcome among patients with hypermature cataract in Kanchipuram district. Materials and Methods: A prospective interview-based study was undertaken among 304 patients with hypermature over 3 years in the Ophthalmology department of a medical College located in Kanchipuram. Presence of LIG was noted. After small incision cataract surgery, intra- and post-operative complications, final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6 weeks were noted and compared with delayed presentation using Chi-square test. Results: Good visual acuity in the other eye was the reason for delayed presentation in 160 (52.6%) patients. Poor post-operative visual acuity was associated with delayed presentation (r = −0.203, n = 304 and P < 0.012). LIG was seen in 30 (10%) patients and 26 (8.5%) of these were pseudophakic in the fellow eye. 8 (2.6%) patients had zonular dehiscence. Difficulty in doing rhexis (156 patients), corneal edema (62 patients), and inferior subluxation of posterior chamber intraocular lens (12 patients) were the most common intraoperative, early and late postoperative complications. Final BCVA of 6/12 or better was seen in 282 patients. Conclusion: Hypermature cataract and LIG are still seen in rural and suburban India and are more likely to develop in patients having good visual acuity in the fellow eye following previous cataract surgery. As delayed presentation is associated with poor postoperative outcome, it is important to educate the community about the need for early surgery.

Keywords

• Delayed presentation
• hypermature cataract
• visual prognosis