DR. DEVANSHI DESAI

DR. DESAI SANJIV

Abstract

Outreach camps for mass screening & treatment of eye diseases are a boon for reducing avoidable blindness. However, there may be times where one cannot pick up pathologies on-site due to lack of sophisticated diagnostic equipment. Most outreach camps do not pack a slit lamp biomicroscope and the examiner relies on a flash light to examine eyes. Often the camp is conducted in rooms or make-shift tents where the ambient light is very strong and hinders eye examination. In such situations diagnostic errors can be made. We report here two cases of opacified IOL’s that were diagnosed as cataract in eye camps and admitted for surgery. One was diagnosed as an opacified IOL on the operating table and the other one was diagnosed at the base hospital prior to surgery. In both cases IOL exchange was performed with good visual recovery. The cases merit attention because they masquerade as cataract and need to be identified correctly on site to avert a surprise on the operating table.