AIM:To assess the clinical results of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens(IOL)implantation in the treatment of leprosy patients with cataract.

METHODS: Total 72 leprosy patients with cataract(72 eyes)from January 2010 to January 2013 were recruited from leprosy disease villages of Guangzhou. All the participants were randomized into two groups. Thirty-six patients(36 eyes)in observation group underwent phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation, and other 36 patients(36 eyes)in control group underwent small incision cataract extraction and IOL implantation. Efficacy measures included intraoperative and postoperative complications, postoperative best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and corneal astigmatism. The follow-up times included 1d, 1wk, 1mo, 1 and 2a after surgery.

RESULTS: At postoperative 1mo, visual acuity recovery in observation group was faster than that in control group and the BCVA in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group(all P<0.05). Corneal astigmatism in observation group was smaller than that in control group at different time-points within 1a(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in intraoperative and postoperative complications between both groups(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation is safe and effective in the treatment of leprosy patients with cataract, with faster recovery of visual acuity, smaller effect on corneal astigmatism. Therefore, it is a good surgical approach to deserve recommendation in the clinical work.