High volume sutureless intraocular lens surgery in a rural eye camp in India

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of small incision sutureless cataract surgery (SISCS) that permits high-volume, high-quality, and low-co st surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We compared the speed, safety, and visual results of 1190 surgical techniques performed in a public eye camp in India. Intraocul ar lenses were received by 97% of patients (1154). Surgical techniques used were SISCS, phacoemulsification, and standard extracapsular cataract extra ction (ECCE) technique. RESULTS: Postoperatively, 60.0% attained uncorrected vision of 6/24 or bett er. There was little difference in visual results or complication rates amo ng the three techniques. The most striking finding is the speed of SISCS, w hich enables experienced surgeons to perform the technique in 3.8 to 4.2 mi nutes. CONCLUSION: We believe this surgical technique is of major importance espec ially in developing nations facing enormous surgical volumes and limited re sources.