Profile of patients undergoing cataract surgery at a district mobile ophthalmic unit in South India: A retrospective analysis of demographics, clinical profile, and comorbidities

Purpose: This study aims to explore the demographic and clinical profile of cataract patients screened and operated on at a District Mobile Ophthalmic Unit (DMOU) in Kerala. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from 500 patients who underwent cataract surgery at a DMOU in Kerala between October 2022 and May 2024. Data collected included demographics, preoperative visual parameters, severity of visual impairment, and details on medical comorbidities. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS Version 24 with Chi-Square tests and Cramer’s V calculations to identify associations between the severity of vision loss and demographic and clinical variables. Results: The study found that among 500 patients who underwent cataract surgery, 59% were female, with a mean age of 66.7 years, and 72.6% had significant visual impairment (BCVA less than 6/60) before surgery. Cortical cataracts were most common (75.8%), with immature senile cataracts and mature senile cataracts being the most prevalent stages. The study also found significant associations between cataract type and visual impairment, with cortical cataracts causing more visual impairment than nuclear cataracts. Additionally, 74% of patients had at least one medical comorbidity, with systemic hypertension being the most common. No significant associations were found between gender, age, medical comorbidities, and severity of visual impairment. Conclusions: Our study revealed that a large number of patients with severe visual impairment due to cataracts are still there in the community and can be potential beneficiaries of cataract surgery at DMOUs. We found that cortical cataracts are more common among patients, and most have multiple medical comorbidities. Research is needed to identify barriers to care-seeking and optimize outreach programs.