Comparison of safety and number of post-operative visits of patients in convenient day versus conventional first day follow-up after phacoemulsification

Objectives: To compare safety and number of post-operative visits of patients in convenient day versus conventional first day follow-up after phacoemulsification

Methods: This observational cohort study was conducted in Department of ophthalmology, Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal from November 2019 to August 2020. There were 600 patients who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Patients were allocated into two groups. Group-I comprised of patients with convenient day follow-up during the first post-operative week. Group-II comprised of the patients with conventional first day follow-up. Rate of complications, number of visits during the first month and final visual acuity were recorded.

Results: In Group-I post-operative complications were noted in 12.67% cases on first follow up visit and in 2.67% cases on first month follow up visit. In Group-II post-operative complication were noted in 22 % cases on first follow up visit and in 4% cases on first month follow up visit. Common postoperative complications were corneal oedema, anterior segment intraocular inflammation, residual lens matter in anterior chamber and intraocular lens subluxation. There was no difference in presenting and postoperative visual acuity between the two groups. Mean follow-up visits were 2.23 ± 0.42 in Group-I and 3.55 ± 0.50 in Group-II.

Conclusion: Convenient day follow-up is as safe as conventional first day follow-up. Convenient day follow-up significantly reduces the number of post-operative visits. This would translate into cost reduction both for the patients and the health care facility.