AIM: To evaluate the effects of ultrasonic emulsification operation on 1800 poor patients with cataract.

METHODS: From June 2010 to November 2012, free cataract phacoemulsification and IOL implantation were performed for 1800 poor patients of cataract(1800 eyes), and the effects of the operation and complications of age-related cataract were analyzed.

RESULTS:A total of 1326 eyes(73.67%)of the operated eyes had age-related cataract. On the first day after the operation, vision was restored in 98.72% and vision was 0.3 or better in 89.52%. Intraoperative complications included posterior capsule rupture in 32 eyes(2.41%), equilibrium liquid reflux in 7 eyes(0.53%), complete rupture of suspensory ligament in 1 eye(0.075%), and partial rupture in 5 eyes(0.38%). Postoperative complications included corneal edema in 103 eyes(7.77%), mild corneal edema in 79 eyes(5.96%), moderate to severe corneal edema in 24 eyes(1.81%), reactive uveitis in 6 eyes(0.45%), transient high intraocular pressure in 9 eyes(0.68%), IOL clamp in 3 eyes(0.23%), and macular edema in 6 eyes(0.45%). Severe complications, such as bullous keratitis, explosive suprachoroidal hemorrhageor and endophthalmitis did not doccurred.

CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic phacoemulsification, offered free to poor patients of cataract in China, has various advantages, including remarkable effect, shorter operational time, minimal operational trauma, faster visual restoration and fewer complications.