[Phacoemulsification Versus Manual Phacoalternative Without Suture During Cataract Mass Surgery].

INTRODUCTION

The Practice of phacoemulsification (Phaco E) remains exceptional in low-income countries contrary to manual phacoalternative without sutures (Phaco A). The goal was to compare the two techniques during a cataract mass surgery.

POPULATION AND

METHODS

This was a prospective study conducted in 2017 in Libreville. It concerned 233 patients (233 eyes) with age-related cataracts. They were divided into two groups (Phaco A, Phaco E). Those with visual acuity (VA) far below 2/10th and an absence of associated ocular pathologies that could compromise visual recovery were included.

RESULTS

The average age was 67.6 ± 10.1 years, women accounted for 52.4% of the workforce. Phaco A was practiced in 57.5% of cases. After the surgery, the patients operated by Phaco A had a VA without correction called good in 75.4% of cases, average in 13.4% and bad in 11.2%. For those operated by Phaco E, it was good in 81.8% of cases and average in 18.2%. Visual recovery was better for the Phaco group E (p = 0.002). The frequency of per-operative complications was 3% for Phaco E and 4.4% for Phaco A (p = 0.731). The post-operative complications were 3% for phaco E versus 3.7% for Phaco A (p = 0.965).

CONCLUSION

Visual recovery was better after cataract surgery by Phaco E. Both techniques had a low rate of complications.