Outcomes of cataract surgery: a population-based developing world study in the Bhaktapur district, Nepal

Background: To evaluate the visual outcome after cataract surgery in a population of Nepal. Design: Population‐based cross‐sectional study. Participants: Forty years and above residing in Bhaktapur district. Methods: Subjects were selected from 30 clusters using cluster sampling procedure. All underwent a detailed examination at the base hospital, including logarithm of minimal angle of resolution visual acuity, refraction, applanation tonometry, cataract grading, retinal examination and perimetry when indicated. Main Outcome Measures: Visual acuity after cataract surgery. Results: Out of 4003 subjects examined, 151 had undergone cataract surgery. Pseudophakia was present in 142 (94.0%), aphakia in nine (6%). Presenting and best‐corrected visual acuity ≥6/18 was achieved in 123 (54.4%) and 164 (72.4%) eyes, respectively. Among the pseudophakic eyes, at presentation 122 (57.5%), 72 (33.9%), 18 (8.5%) and after best correction 162 (76.2%), 33 (15.8%), 17 (8.0%) had visual acuity of ≥6/18,