Burden of Cataract and the Importance of Surgical Management at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background Cataract is one of the most common causes of blindness and visual impairment in the world, especially in developing countries. Cataract surgery is a wellestablished and commonly performed intervention in the management of cataract, yet many patients are found to have advanced stages of cataract due to lack of access to eye care services and lack of awareness. Objective The present study aimed at a detailed assessment of the socio-demographic profile, clinical features, and postoperative outcomes of patients with cataracts admitted to a tertiary health-care facility in Bangladesh, especially focusing on the extent of vision improvement after surgery. Methods This was cross-sectional observational study conducted in the ophthalmology department of a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. In total, 51 patients with cataracts were included in the study. Data were collection from September1, 2024 to December31, 2024. Visual acuity of the patients was assessed using the Snellen chart before and after cataract surgery. Results A total of 51 cataract patients were enrolled in this study. Cataract prevalence increased with age, with the highest prevalence in patients aged >69 years at 50.98%, followed by 27.45% in those aged 60-69 years, 11.77% in those aged 50-59 years, and 9.80% in those aged <49 years. The majority of cataract patients were from rural areas, accounting for 72.55%, whereas 27.45% were from urban areas, and some of these patients also had diabetes. Patients from urban areas were significantly more likely to achieve good visual outcomes compared to those from rural areas (AOR: 2.45; p <0.04). Similarly, patients without diabetes had higher odds of improved postoperative visual acuity than diabetic patients (AOR: 2.75; p <0.03). Conclusion This research indicates that cataracts predominantly affect older individuals, with a higher prevalence observed in rural populations. Additionally, a significant number of patients diagnosed with cataracts also had diabetes, suggesting that diabetes may be a risk factor. Following cataract surgery, patients reported an improvement in their vision. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that residing in urban areas and the absence of diabetes were two key factors associated with better surgical outcomes. This study emphasize the need for early detection and timely cataract surgery to prevent blindness. Increasing access to cataract surgery and improving public awareness are likely to alleviate the burden of cataract-related visual impairment in the country. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 25 No. 04 October’26 Page: 1162-1168