ESCRS - FPM05.02 - Ambulatory Cataract Surgery Compaign Without Previous Pre-Anaesthesic Consultation: A Step Towards Improving Visual Healthcare In Remote Poor Areas

Ambulatory Cataract Surgery Compaign Without Previous Pre-Anaesthesic Consultation: A Step Towards Improving Visual Healthcare In Remote Poor Areas

Published 2022 - 40th Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: FPM05.02 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/91jm-yb94

Authors: Imane Jeddou* 1 , El Housain Ait Elhaj 2 , Adil El Khouyaali 1 , Yassine Mouzari 1 , Karim Reda 1 , Abdelbarre Oubaaz 1

1Ophthalmology Department,Military Teaching Hospital Mohammed V,Rabat,Morocco, 2Ophthalmology Department,Military Training Hospital of Marrakesh,Marrakesh,Morocco

Purpose

The purpose of our study is to highlight the effectiveness of ambulatory cataract surgery with no previous pre-anaesthetic consultation during a campaign in a poor remote north-African. The recourse to this practice could be a first step towards the improvement of the visual quality of life in areas where the cataract is the first aetiology of visual impairment.

Setting

Medical Surgical Field Hospital during the African Lion Exercise in Tafraout. Morocco

Methods

It is a retrospective cross-sectional study including patients who underwent cataract surgery in the Medical-Surgical Field Hospital during the "African Lions" mission in Tafraout in June 2021. We collected the epidemiological data of the subjects, eventual per or post-operative complications during, as well as final functional results. We also conducted a satisfaction questionnaire to assess the degree of satisfaction of the subjects after surgery.

Results

Cataract surgery is an essential part of the activities of the Medical-surgical Field hospital during the ''African Lions'' operation carried out annually in rural areas in Morocco. Patients with cataracts are recruited and scheduled for surgery from the second day of the campaign.

Patients do not benefit from a pre-anaesthetic consultation, but a confirmed intensive care anaesthetist is present if necessary. Surgery consisted of phacoemulsification and placement of an implant in the posterior chamber performed under topical anaesthesia. A total of 50 patients were operated on for cataracts. The satisfaction rate among patients was pretty high with a visual acuity improving from 20/200 to 20/40 on average.

Conclusions

The main objective of cataract surgery campaigns is
to improve the visual quality of life of elderly rural populations according to the principle of ''Taking healthcare to the patient''. The development of phacoemulsification and the widespread use of topical anaesthesia are two essential points that have made it possible to set up this type of campaign, which however requires highly skilled ophthalmologists.