Comparison of Visual Outcome in Senile Cataract After Phacoemulsification and Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery in a Tertiary Eye Hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47363/JORRR/2025(6)204Keywords:
Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery, Phacoemulsification, Refractive Status, Visual AcuityAbstract
The goal is to compare the refractive state and visual results of phacoemulsification versus manual small incision cataract surgery.
Techniques: One hundred patients with age-related cataracts, ages 50 to 90, from the cataract clinic at Chevron Eye Hospital and Research Center were part of a hospital-based prospective cross-sectional study. Between October 2024 and March 2025, 100 patients had phacoemulsification and manual small incision cataract surgery. Both groups' postoperative Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) and refractive status rates were compared.
Findings: Of the 100 patients who had cataract surgery, 50 had microincision cataract surgery (MICS) and 50 had phacoemulsification (PHACO). There were 30 guys in the phacoemulsification group and 26 in the MICS group. The age range of the majority of patients (phacoemulsification: 58%, MICS: 52%) was 71–90 years. Compared to phacoemulsification (DM: 16%, HTN: 18%), systemic comorbidities were more prevalent in MICS (32%, 30%). Phacoemulsification had a higher combined DM and HTN rate (36%) than MICS (8%). The majority of cases were bilateral cataracts (80% phacoemulsification, 84% MICS). 54% (MICS) and 44% (phacoemulsification) had preoperative visual acuity of 6/6–6/18 (P < 0.001). 92% (phacoemulsification) and 80% (MICS) attained 6/6–6/18 at one month. Prior to surgery, dull responses were prevalent. MICS: 90%, phacoemulsification: 88%, and decreased after surgery. The most common postoperative refractive outcome was against-the-rule astigmatism (52% with phacoemulsification and 58% with MICS).
Conclusion: Phacoemulsification and microincision cataract surgery both worked well to restore visual acuity, but after one month after surgery, phacoemulsification showed better visual results, especially in patients with systemic comorbidities. Refractive outcomes were similar across groups, with the most common being anti-rule astigmatism. When it comes to visual recovery, phacoemulsification might be superior to MICS.
