Assessing Visual Outcomes After Senile Cataract Surgery in Urban and Rural Populations of Southern Pakistan.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the outcomes of cataract surgery in terms of visual improvement among older adults residing in
both urban and rural areas of Southern Pakistan.
Methodology: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Institute of Ophthalmology, Liaquat University
of Medical & Health Sciences, in Jamshoro during August 2023 to December 2023. 100 patients; 50 from urban and 50
from rural areas were selected through purposive sampling. Visual outcome after cataract surgery was assessed at 15th
day, 1 month and 2nd month postoperatively.
Results: After cataract surgery, visual acuity improved in 62% of the urban population and 76% of the rural population by
the 15th day after the operation.
Conclusion: The study's findings revealed a notable difference in vision improvement between rural and urban residents
after surgery. Specifically, rural residents experienced greater improvement in their vision compared to their urban counterparts.
These findings suggest that targeted interventions and tailored healthcare strategies may be necessary to address
the unique needs of rural and urban populations and optimize care pathways for patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Key words: Urban, Rural, Cataract, Visual Outcomes, Cross-sectional.