CATARACT SURGEONS: EXPERIENCES, SKILLS, DECISIONS AND OPINIONS TO CONTROL CATARACT BLINDNESS IN SUDAN

The aim of the study is to determine cataract surgeon's experiences, skills; factors affecting decision-making and opinions to control cataract blindness in Sudan.

Methods: Pilot study was conducted in Makkah Eye Complex (a voluntary organization; a tertiary eye care center) in Khartoum Alryad; in July 2010. Cataract surgeons 22 (100%) their age varies from 34 to 60 yrs were asked to participate in the study. Participation was entirely voluntary. Information was collected by means of interviews and questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Predictive Analytic Software (PASW) statistics-18 (2010) a modified version of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results: Majority of cataract surgeons in Sudan (77%) were Sudanese with equal gender distribution approximately 1:1. All of the surgeons were Khartoum residence this highly indicates misdistribution stills a problem. Almost three-quarters of the cataract surgeons were mastering at least two surgical techniques namely Extra-capsular cataract extraction with intra-ocular lens implanted in the posterior chamber (ECCE+PCIOL); Phacoemulsification (Phaco). Years of experience in cataract surgical practice was in a range of 6-10 years. More than two thirds (68%) performed 1-5 operations per a day; whereas approximately one-third (30%) performed more than 6 operations per a day. More than three quarters of the surgeons' (78%) performed ECCE+PCIOL daily. The purpose in managing a patient with a cataract was to improve functional vision and the quality of life. Variations in the preoperative state of the eye, the surgical technique, patient expectation, and surgeon experience and preference affected the decision.

Conclusions and Recommendations: Eye care providers at all levels must do more to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, the result of cataract surgery is complete sight restoration. Adequate services, clearing backlog, improving surgical skills, increasing the capacity of teaching centers and providing supervised training courses will contribute significantly in controlling cataract blindness in Sudan.