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Visual outcomes of cataract surgery performed by supervised novice surgeons during training in rural C hina
Author(s) -
Huang Wenyong,
Ye Ronghua,
Liu Bin,
Chen Qianyun,
Huang Guofu,
Liu Yizhi,
Friedman David S,
Congdon Nathan G,
Ling Jin,
He Mingguang
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
clinical and experimental ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.3
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1442-9071
pISSN - 1442-6404
DOI - 10.1111/ceo.12021
Subject(s) - medicine , cataract surgery , ophthalmology , optometry , anesthesia
Background To assess the outcomes of cataract surgery performed by novice surgeons during training in a rural programme. Design Retrospective study. Participants Three hundred thirty‐four patients operated by two trainees under supervision at rural Chinese county hospitals. Methods Two trainees performed surgeries under supervision. Visual acuity, refraction and examinations were carried out 3 months postoperatively. Main Outcome Measures Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity, pinhole visual acuity, causes of visual impairment (postoperative uncorrected visual acuity < 6/18) Results Among 518 operated patients, 426 (82.2%) could be contacted and 334 (64.4% of operated patients) completed the examinations. The mean age was 74.1 ± 8.8 years and 62.9% were women. Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was available in 372 eyes. Among them, uncorrected visual acuity was ≥6/18 in 278 eyes (74.7%) and <6/60 in 60 eyes (16.1%), and 323 eyes (86.8%) had pinhole visual acuity ≥ 6/18 and 38 eyes (10.2%) had pinhole visual acuity < 6/60. Main causes of visual impairment were uncorrected refractive error (63.9%) and comorbid eye disease (24.5%). Comorbid eye diseases associated with pinhole visual acuity < 6/60 ( n = 23, 6.2%) included glaucoma, other optic nerve atrophy, vitreous haemorrhage and retinal detachment. Conclusions The findings suggest that hands‐on training remains safe and effective even when not implemented in centralized training centres. Further refinement of the training protocol, providing postoperative refractive services and more accurate preoperative intraocular lens calculations, can help optimize outcomes.