Retrospective study of the temporal approach in cataract surgery at Evangelical Church Winning All Hospital

Background: According to the World Health Organization, cataracts are one of the leading causes of visual impairment. On a global scale, at least 2.2 billion people have near or distance vision impairment, with cataracts accounting for 94 million of these cases. This poses a significant health risk. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the indications for temporal approach cataract surgery, as well as the effects of surgically induced astigmatism on the temporal approach in cataract surgeries performed at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Eye Hospital in Kano, Nigeria. Setting: Temporal approach in cataract surgery at Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Kano: indications and surgically induced astigmatism. Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent cataract surgery at ECWA Eye Hospital, Kano, a tertiary specialist eye care centre, between January 2019 and December 2020. The patients underwent standard manual small incision cataract surgery on the temporal side of the eye. Biodata, previous ocular surgery, type and time of last ocular surgery, pre-operative and postoperative astigmatism, indications for temporal approach, immediate surgical complications and postoperative visual acuity were extracted from the patients' clinical notes. Results: There were 63 eyes from 44 patients who had temporal approach manual small incision cataract surgery. Thirty (68.2%) of the 44 patients were male, while 14 (31.8%) were female. Cataracts were most common between the ages of 61 and 70 years, and most of the patients (n = 61, 96.8%) required temporal surgery. Astigmatism caused by surgery was minimal. The visual outcome was good, with a postoperative visual acuity of 6/18 - 6/60. Conclusion: Post-trabeculectomy cataract was the major indication for temporal approach cataract surgeries in the patients. The procedure was both safe and effective, resulting in improved visual outcomes. Contribution: Temporal approach manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) was indicated mainly after trabeculectomy. The technique is safe, and patients had better visual outcomes.