Visual outcomes after cataract surgery and cataract surgical coverage in India

Visual outcomes of 2369 cataract operated persons(3655 eyes) across seven major Indian states were assessed in 1998. This is the largest ever study over the past decade in the country. 9.54 per cent of the examined population had undergone operation forcataract in one or both eyes. Intra-capsular cataract extraction was thecommonest surgical modality adopted (91.62%). Intraocular lens implantsresulted in better visual outcomes with 71.4 per cent of such patientsachieving a good visual outcome (≥ 6/18 in operated eyes). Visualoutcome was also good if ICCE operated patients were provided goodquality of aphakic spectacles. There were no gender differentials insurgical uptake rates. The risk of poor postsurgical visual outcomewas strongly associated by type of surgery (Adjusted OR for ICCE-2.78;95% CI: 1.41–5.49) and the non-availability or poor quality aphakic spectacles (Adjusted OR for poor/no spectacles 4.59-95% CI: 3.53–5.97). Duration since surgery and the source of surgery did not influence visual outcomes. Half thecataract blind remained unoperated in the study population.