Clinical Profile, Risk Factors and Visual Outcome of Cataract Patients Undergoing Manual Small-Incision Cataract Surgery: An Observational Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/56ssqz63Keywords:
Cataract, manual small-incision cataract surgery, visual outcome, pseudoexfoliation, diabetes mellitus, observational studyAbstract
Background: Cataract is a major cause of avoidable visual impairment, particularly among older adults in low- and middle-income settings. Manual small-incision cataract surgery remains a practical, high-volume and cost-effective surgical option in public ophthalmology services.
Objectives: To assess the clinical profile, risk factors and six-week visual outcome of cataract patients undergoing manual small-incision cataract surgery.
Methods: This observational study was conducted at Government Medical College, Rajanna Sircilla, Telangana, India, from January 2025 to December 2025. A total of 100 cataract patients undergoing manual small-incision cataract surgery were evaluated. Demographic details, systemic and ocular risk factors, cataract morphology, preoperative visual acuity, surgical complications and best-corrected visual acuity at six weeks were recorded. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and appropriate tests of association.
Results: The mean age was 63.8 ± 8.7 years. Most patients were aged 61–70 years, females constituted 54%, and rural residence was recorded in 62%. Prolonged outdoor work or sunlight exposure was the most frequent risk factor, followed by hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking. Nuclear sclerosis was the commonest cataract type. Preoperatively, 58% had visual acuity below 3/60. At six weeks, 86% achieved best-corrected visual acuity of 6/18 or better, 10% had 6/24–6/60 and 4% had less than 6/60. Poor outcome was associated with diabetes mellitus, pseudoexfoliation, mature or hypermature cataract and intraoperative complications.
Conclusion: Manual small-incision cataract surgery provided favourable visual restoration in most patients. Dense cataract, diabetes mellitus, pseudoexfoliation and surgical complications were important determinants of suboptimal recovery.
Recommendations: Early screening, control of systemic comorbidities, preoperative identification of pseudoexfoliation and careful surgical planning are recommended to improve cataract surgical outcomes.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr.Manda Babu, Dr. Malathi Christina Dornala , Dr. Athota Priyanka (Author)
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