Second-eye cataract surgery – Epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic factors among patients utilizing outreach surgical facilities

Background: Visual improvement after cataract surgery in one eye diminishes the incentive for second-eye cataract surgery (SECS). Aims: The study aimed to determine if patients report for SECS with more advanced cataracts and to explore the time gap between first-eye and SECS and factors influencing...

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Main Authors: Stephanie Sebastian, Swathi Nagarajan, A. R. Rajalakshmi, Kirti Nath Jha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jcor.jcor_33_25
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Summary:Background: Visual improvement after cataract surgery in one eye diminishes the incentive for second-eye cataract surgery (SECS). Aims: The study aimed to determine if patients report for SECS with more advanced cataracts and to explore the time gap between first-eye and SECS and factors influencing it. Subjects and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Adults with defective vision primarily due to cataract and requiring surgery were included. Patient demographics, ocular and systemic conditions, and perioperative findings were compared between “first-eye cataract surgery” group and “SECS” group. Time elapsed since first-eye surgery and reasons thereof were analyzed in the SECS group. Statistical Analysis Used: The Mann–Whitney U-test and Fisher’s exact test were used. Results: Of 891 eyes operated, 376 (42.2%) were SECS. The frequency of advanced cataracts was comparable between the groups (P = 0.11), while the presence of ocular comorbidities was significantly lower in the SECS group (P < 0.05). Both the groups encountered similar intraoperative (P = 0.72) and postoperative (P = 0.13) complications. Postoperative corrected distance visual acuity was significantly better in the SECS group (P = 0.007). The mean time interval between first-eye and SECS was 2.07 ± 1.8 years. Longer time to SECS was associated with increased incidence of intraoperative complications (P = 0.04). Reasons for the time interval to SECS included “good vision in fellow eye,” “nonavailability of a responsible caregiver,” and “unsatisfactory outcomes with first-eye surgery.” Conclusions: Patients undergoing SECS did not have a higher incidence of advanced cataracts. Almost half the patients reported within 1 year from first-eye surgery. Experience of first-eye surgery influenced the decision to undergo SECS.
ISSN:2320-3897
2320-3900