A A Bialasiewicz1, U Wali, R Shenoy, R Al-Saeidi. 1. Department of Ophthalmology and School of Ophthalmic Technicians, Sultan Qaboos University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Muscat, Oman. alexander@squ.edu.om
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cataracts are the most frequent treatable cause of noninfectious blindness in Oman. Therefore, in 2002 a study was performed at our department of ophthalmology to evaluate cataract patients for pseudoexfoliation. METHODS: In a prospective comparative cohort study, 370 age-related cataract eyes out of an evaluable population of 498 cataracts were evaluated by biomicroscopy, confocal corneal analysis, and electron microscopy and followed up after 6 months. RESULTS: Of 370 age-related cataracts without glaucomas 171 had PEX. Preoperative manifestations were 89 subluxations, 15 vitreous prolapses, 6 ciliolenticular blocks, and 7 intravitreal dislocations. In 40 Omani cataract eyes without PEX the endothelial cell count was normal compared to the age-matched US norm and corneal thickness was less than Caucasians, but more than Afro-Americans. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports on a high incidence and frequent preoperative complications (68%) of the surgical cataract cases in an Arabic population. The development of serious complications and blindness is related to the duration of the disease and the lack of timely surgery.
BACKGROUND:Cataracts are the most frequent treatable cause of noninfectious blindness in Oman. Therefore, in 2002 a study was performed at our department of ophthalmology to evaluate cataractpatients for pseudoexfoliation. METHODS: In a prospective comparative cohort study, 370 age-related cataract eyes out of an evaluable population of 498 cataracts were evaluated by biomicroscopy, confocal corneal analysis, and electron microscopy and followed up after 6 months. RESULTS: Of 370 age-related cataracts without glaucomas 171 had PEX. Preoperative manifestations were 89 subluxations, 15 vitreous prolapses, 6 ciliolenticular blocks, and 7 intravitreal dislocations. In 40 Omani cataract eyes without PEX the endothelial cell count was normal compared to the age-matched US norm and corneal thickness was less than Caucasians, but more than Afro-Americans. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports on a high incidence and frequent preoperative complications (68%) of the surgical cataract cases in an Arabic population. The development of serious complications and blindness is related to the duration of the disease and the lack of timely surgery.
Authors: K F Damji; H S Bains; E Stefansson; M Loftsdottir; T Sverrisson; E Thorgeirsson; F Jonasson; M Gottfredsdottir; R R Allingham Journal: Ophthalmic Genet Date: 1998-12 Impact factor: 1.803