Conventional extracapsular cataract extraction and its importance in the present day ophthalmic practice

PURPOSE: A retrospective study aimed to evaluate high risk cases where conventional Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) was performed, their intra-operative and post-operative outcomes. SETTING: Sri Srinivasa Sankara Nethralaya (Tirupati) Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams Central Hospital, Tirupati, India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 207 patients who underwent ECCE at the hospital between august 2010 to June 2012. Operative data included details like grade of risk, intra and postoperative complications and visual outcome. RESULTS: Out of 207 cases, 188 were in group 3 (moderate risk, 3-5 points) and 19 in group 4 (high risk, 6 points or more). The intra operative complications in group 3 were 8 (0.042%) and none in group 4. Final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 6/12 and more were 184 (88.88%). Final refraction of less than 2.0 astigmatism was seen in 80.19% (n=166). CONCLUSION: Segregation of cases depending on the risk factors can lead to lower intra operative complications and therefore good postoperative outcome. We believe that phacoemulsification, manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) and ECCE each has its own importance and should be used as per the cataract with risk factors.