ASSOCIATION BETWEEN REFRACTIVE ERROR PROFILES AMONG PATIENTS WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF CATARACT

Ms. Veekshitha; Ms. Sonu A S

doi:10.69980/bs.v12i1.6690

Ms. Veekshitha M.Sc. Optometry, Dept. of Optometry, Mangala College of Allied Health Sciences, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India.
Ms. Sonu A S Assistant Professor & HOD, Dept. of Optometry, Mangala College of Allied Health Sciences, Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka

DOI: https://doi.org/10.69980/bs.v12i1.6690

Keywords: Nuclear cataract, cortical cataract, posterior subcapsular cataract, index myopia, refractive shift, intraocular lens

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the association between cataract morphology (nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular) and refractive error profiles, and to assess preoperative and postoperative refractive shifts following cataract surgery.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 patients (44 males, 36 females; mean age 63.0 ± 9.18 years) undergoing cataract surgery. Comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation included visual acuity assessment, objective and subjective refraction, slit-lamp examination, and cataract grading using the LOCS III classification. Preoperative and one-month postoperative refractive outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Nuclear cataract was the most prevalent subtype (43.8%), followed by posterior subcapsular cataract (28.8%) and cortical cataract (27.5%). Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). A statistically significant myopic shift was observed preoperatively in myopic patients (p = 0.012), consistent with index myopia. Postoperatively, myopic patients demonstrated a significant hyperopic shift toward emmetropia (p < 0.001), while hyperopic patients showed a significant myopic shift (p < 0.001). Consistent refractive neutralization was achieved across all cataract morphologies.

Conclusion: Cataract morphology, particularly nuclear sclerosis, is associated with characteristic preoperative refractive shifts. Modern cataract surgery with appropriate IOL power calculation effectively neutralizes refractive errors, achieving predictable refractive outcomes regardless of cataract type.

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