Barriers to the Second Eye Cataract Surgery Amongst the Rural Population of Western Maharashtra, India

Aim: To identify the barriers which prevent the uptake for the second eye cataract surgery (SECS), amongst the rural population.

Study Design: A hospital based observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology, Pravara institute of medical sciences, Loni, Maharashtra, India, from September 2013 to August 2015.

Methodology: 100 patients who had age related senile cataract in second eye and had undergone first eye cataract surgery in past were included in this study. They were clinically examined and interviewed to determine the reasons for delay in seeking SECS.

Results: Amongst the 100 patients, majority were female (65%), farmers (60%) and illiterate (78%). Most common age group involved was 61-70 (44%) years. Visual Acuity in the non-operated fellow eye was <6/60 or worse in 84% patients. 60% patients presented with advanced stages of cataract (mature and hypermature cataract) in the second eye, and 12% patients had hypermaturity related complications. The major barriers to the uptake of SECS were ‘can see with other eye’ in 66% patients and ‘cost of surgery’ in 54% patients.

Conclusion: Can see with other eye and cost of surgery are important barriers that prevent the uptake for SECS. Dedicated modifications in ongoing cataract surgery programmes and eye care education camps will be of immense help in overcoming the barriers associated with the second eye cataract surgery.