gms | German Medical Science

Purpose: To evaluate the presentation, mode of management, and clinical outcome of traumatic cataract.

Setting: Tertiary Eye care institute in central India.

Methods: Seventy six eyes who developed traumatic cataract, seen between January 2004 to December 2006, were retrospectively analyzed. Nature of injury, type of cataract, management, and outcome were evaluated.

Results: The study group comprised 61 male and 15 female. Minimum age was 3 years and maximum age was 85 years with average age being 25.90 years. 39 eyes had blunt injury and remaining 37 eyes had penetrating injury. Most (53.2%) of the cataracts were total. Anterior capsule was torn in 20 eyes, lens matter was present in anterior chamber in 20 eyes. Subluxation of the lens was noted in 7 eyes. Corneal involvement was noted in 63 eyes with visual axis getting involved in 36 eyes. Small incision cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was performed in all the patients. Anterior vitrectomy needed to be performed in 28 eyes with preexisting posterior capsular rent. Visual acuity improved form 20/200 or worse preoperatively to 20/60 or better in 67 eyes postoperatively. Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) was noted in 18 eyes.

Conclusions: Small incision cataract surgery with IOL implantation with or without anterior vitrectomy provides satisfactory results in patients with traumatic cataract. Associated posterior segment complications and development of PCO are the major obstacles to visual rehabilitation.