Cataract surgery with associated coloboma: predictors of outcome and safety of different surgical techniques

Coloboma, a congenital defect  due to  incomplete embryonal fissure closure, often affects the infero-nasal part of the fundus & is frequently associated with cataracts, a leading treatable cause of visual impairment. However, cataract surgery in colobomatous eyes presents significant challenges due to anatomical anomalies such as microcornea, zonular instability, poor pupillary dilation, & structural irregularities. This hospital-based observational study, done at Ophthalmology Department Acharya Vinobha Bhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi, over two years aiming to evaluate the outcomes & safety of cataract surgery techniques, including phacoemulsification (PE) & manual small incision cataract surgery (M-SICS). The surgery type will depend on the degree of microcornea, cataract hardness, & zonular stability. Preoperative, intraoperative, & postoperative assessments will include detailed ophthalmic evaluations, visual acuity measurements, grading of microcornea, & complications such as corneal edema, using standardized grading systems. Statistical analysis using SPSS will identify predictors of surgical outcomes, with significance at p < 0.05. The study seeks to improve surgical techniques, enhance patient safety, & provide insights into counselling & risk stratification for individuals with coloboma-associated cataracts. By considering these challenges, the study  aims to optimize functional outcomes & quality of life for affected patients. The study is expected to demonstrate improved postoperative visual outcomes, reduced surgical complications, & enhanced safety in cataract surgery for colobomatous eyes.