Particularities of surgical treatment in senile cataract

Abstract

Background: The number of persons with senile cataract is continuously increasing, that’s why, actually, surgery techniques have become less invasive, more appealing to patients, lower risk, and efficacious in treatment. Phacoemulsification (Phaco) and extracapsular cataract extraction (EEC) are basic methods in cataract surgery, and are used widely worldwide. Methods: We reviewed literature and emphasized major modern techniques used in cataract surgery. Also we present our comparative study of phacoemulsification and extracapsular extraction on a representative group of patients. We compare subgroups (treated by Phaco and EEC) using the following comparative criteria: age, residence, place of work, days of hospitalization, visual recovery and outcome after surgery, complications etc. Data were analyzed using modern statistical tools and have passed veracity tests (t-student criteria). Results: Patients that underwent Phaco tend to have a shorter period of hospitalization, recover more quickly their visual performances, have fewer complications and in the end have a better outcome. Conclusion: Contemporary management strategies should give to the patients the chance to choose and to be treated by best method. Phacoemulsification appears to be the gold standard in actual management of senile cataract. Thus we should inform patients and primary medicines that early diagnostic and treatment is mandatory for the best outcome.