Background: Cataract remains the leading cause of curable blindness in the world. In India, Cataract is responsible for 50-80% of the bilaterally blind. At present Phacoemulsification is fast growing in popularity and is opted as a surgery of choice for cataract extraction due to its various advantages. But phacoemulsification has its own share of complications and a long learning curve. This study is focussed upon the post-operative complications of phacoemulsification. Methods: This is a prospective study of a group of 50 patients who underwent Phacoemulsification at Rajah Muthiah Medical College Hospital, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu from May 2011 to May 2013. The patients were classified based on type of cataract. Thorough pre-operative examination was done by slit lamp bio-microscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy and OTI B Scan Ultrasonography. The exclusion criteria included significant corneal opacification, uveitis, pre-existing glaucoma and pre-existing posterior segment disorders. The keratometry and IOL power were calculated using OTI/Sonomed A Scan. The surgical techniques were performed under local anaesthesia. Phacoemulsification was done with the Appasonic Galaxy I phaco emulsifier system. Post operatively the patients were assessed on 1st day, 1st week, 1st month and after 6 months. On every visit, BCVA (Best Corrected Visual Acuity) was assessed and slit lamp examination was done. Keratometry readings were taken on the 6th month visit to assess post-operative astigmatism by comparing them with pre-operative keratometry readings. Results: Surgically induced corneal astigmatism had a general shift towards ATR (Against The Rule). Incisions of 2.8 mm length were least astigmatic than 6mm incisions. The group showed preponderance to a lesser degree of astigmatism with incisions closer to the limbus. Conclusions: The study showed that post-operative astigmatism and inflammation were minimal. Visual recovery and patients’ rehabilitation were accelerated with phacoemulsification.

Background: Cataract remains the leading cause of curable blindness in the world. In India, Cataract is responsible for 50-80% of the bilaterally blind. At present Phacoemulsification is fast growing in popularity and is opted as a surgery of choice for cataract extraction due to its various advantages. But phacoemulsification has its own share of complications and a long learning curve. This study is focussed upon the post-operative complications of phacoemulsification. Methods: This is a prospective study of a group of 50 patients who underwent Phacoemulsification at Rajah Muthiah Medical College Hospital, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu from May 2011 to May 2013. The patients were classified based on type of cataract. Thorough pre-operative examination was done by slit lamp bio-microscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy and OTI B Scan Ultrasonography. The exclusion criteria included significant corneal opacification, uveitis, pre-existing glaucoma and pre-existing posterior segment disorders. The keratometry and IOL power were calculated using OTI/Sonomed A Scan. The surgical techniques were performed under local anaesthesia. Phacoemulsification was done with the Appasonic Galaxy I phaco emulsifier system. Post operatively the patients were assessed on 1st day, 1st week, 1st month and after 6 months. On every visit, BCVA (Best Corrected Visual Acuity) was assessed and slit lamp examination was done. Keratometry readings were taken on the 6th month visit to assess post-operative astigmatism by comparing them with pre-operative keratometry readings. Results: Surgically induced corneal astigmatism had a general shift towards ATR (Against The Rule). Incisions of 2.8 mm length were least astigmatic than 6mm incisions. The group showed preponderance to a lesser degree of astigmatism with incisions closer to the limbus. Conclusions: The study showed that post-operative astigmatism and inflammation were minimal. Visual recovery and patients’ rehabilitation were accelerated with phacoemulsification.