Abstract
Purpose:
To compare the outcomes of sutureless large-incision manual cataract extraction (SLIMCE) and phacoemulsification performed by ophthalmology trainees in a tertiary eye care hospital of China.
Methods:
This was a retrospective cohort study. Subjects underwent cataract surgeries with SLIMCE technique or phacoemulsification by trainees during 2010-2013 were included from Joint Eye Center of Shantou University and Chinese University of Hongkong (JSIEC). The postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared between two groups.
Results:
A total of 492 surgeries were performed by 31 trainees from 2010 to 2013. In all, 181 (36.8%) were done using SLIMCE technique and 311 (63.2%) were done by phacoemulsification. Those in the SLIMCE group were significantly older (age >70 years; 5.7% vs 3.4%; p<0.001) and had worse preoperative visual acuity (visual acuity <6/60; 84.5% vs 50.5%; p<0.001). Postoperatively, the number of patients having BCVA≥6/12 was similar in both the groups (90.6% vs 90.7%; p=0.21).
Conclusions:
Although age was older and preoperative visual acuity was poor in the SLIMCE group, there was no difference in BCVA in both the groups posteratively in a tertiary eye care hospital of China.