Cataract surgical reach: Falling short to catch white cataracts!

Purpose The aim of this study was to know proportion of white cataracts from among patients coming for cataract surgery, and to find causes delaying uptake of cataract surgery. Methods A hospital-based, prospective study enrolled patients of senile cataract between April 2018 and March 2019. The proportion of white cataract was calculated and underlying causes delaying uptake of cataract surgery studied. Results White cataracts constituted 13.5% of total 3634 senile cataract patients, with gender disparity disfavoring women. Bilateral white cataract was presentation in 39 (8%) patients and lens-related glaucoma in 24 (5%) patients. Pseudophakia in the other eye was single most common cause of delay. Conclusion A large proportion of white cataracts suggest that penetration of cataract surgical services in not reaching to the most eligible individual.