A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge on Post Operative Self Care among Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery at a Selected Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Cataract is lens opacity or cloudiness of the eye’s natural lens. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, accounting for visual loss in about 23 million persons. In India cataract ranks highest (62.6%)5 as a cause of blindness. Under WHO’s mission 2020: Right to sight- India performs around 60 lakhs cataract surgeries per year to reduce national backlog of cataract.. Studies have shown that 82% of all people who are visually impaired are aged 50 and above have cataract and majority of the patients of this age group in India lack proper knowledge about self care after cataract surgery. Objectives: To assess the knowledge regarding postoperative care after cataract surgery among patients. To determine the relation of knowledge regarding post operative care after cataract surgery with selected socio demographic variables.Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted among 50 patients undergoing cataract surgery attending eye OPD of Command Hospital. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used and a semi structured questionnaire consisting of 34questions was used. Result: The present study revealed that a total of 60%(30) respondents have good knowledge,30%(15) have average knowledge and 10%(5) have poor knowledge. Majority(88%) of the respondents were above 51 years of age.. About 56% of elderly population lacked knowledge about correct technique of medication instillation, 72% didn’t know that reading has no adverse effect on operated eye and about 80% knew, eye should be cleaned with boiled and cooled water and cotton swabs. Conclusion: The study revealed that majority of the patients were elderly and need proper educaiton about various aspects of self care after cataract surgery.