THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CATARACT ON VISUAL ACUITY IN PATIENTS REVIEWING AL MOUJTAHD HOSPITAL IN DAMASCUS, SYRIA

Yusra Haddeh, Mhd Nezar Alsharif*, Noura Alkhatba, Hiba Alrifae

Syrian Private University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to study the effect of different types of cataracts on VA in patients reviewing Al Mujtahid Hospital. This is a retrospective study composed of all patients diagnosed with cataract at AlMoujtahd Hospital (Damascus Hospital) between 1/6/2017 and 31/12/2017. Statistical analysis was done using Excel and SPSS 23.0. We analyzed the data regarding the age, gender, types of cataract ant the risk factors of cataract. We divided the patients in this study according to age into four groups (12-30), (31-50), (51-70) and (>70) years old. We analyzed the data regarding the age, gender and the effect of different types of cataract on VA. Snellen chart was used to test the visual acuity. This study included 44patientsdiagnosed with cataract (86 cataracts). (2 cases of cataract only in the left eye, 0 cases of cataract only in the right eye and 42 cases of cataract in both eyes). Most of the patients were between 51-70 years old (72.7all patients) followed by those older than 70 (18.3% of all patients). 21 patients (47.7% of all patients) were females. The nuclear cataract affected the VA the most, whereas the cortical cataract affected it the least. The presence of these both types of cataract together (Nuclear + Posterior sub- capsular) has the worst effect on VA. Most of the patients in our study were between 51-70 years old (72.7% of all patients) followed by those older than 70 (18.3% of all patients). 47.7% of all patients were females. The nuclear cataract affected the VA the most, whereas the cortical cataract affected it the least. Nuclear and Posterior sub- capsular cataract together have the worst effect on VA.

Keywords:

Cataract, Blindness, Snellen chart