A prospective study on corneal complications of small incision cataract surgery conducted in rural hospital

Aim: To study various corneal complications in manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS), to study the risk factors leading to such complication and to study the final visual outcome following complications. Design:It is a prospective hospital based observational study. Methodology: In our study 100 eyes of 100 patients were studied who underwent MSICS with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Corneal complications, their risk factors and final visual outcome were studied on post operatively day 1, day 8 and 6th week after surgery. Results: One hundred eyes of 100 patients who underwent MSICS were studied. Corneal complications were seen in 18% of patients. Of these 8% developed striate keratopathy, 6% developed corneal edema with <10 Descemet’s folds, 3% developed corneal edema with >10 Descemet’s folds, 1% developed Descemet’s membrane detachment. 94% of the patients categorized under good visual outcome category (BCVA better than 6/12), 89% had best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 6/9 or better at the end of 6 postoperative week. Conclusion: MCIS is associated with few corneal complications which cannot be overlooked. With appropriate management, most of the corneal complications will be resolved by 2 postoperative week. Vigilant attitude by the surgeon and timely management can reduce such complications and help in early visual rehabilitation.