Abstract:Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of cataract phacoemulsification combined with implantation of artificial lens for patients with cataract in seven African countries during"Mission Harmony-2017"task. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data from 51 cataract patients (52 eyes) receiving cataract phacoemulsification combined with implantation of artificial lens between Aug. 2017 and Nov. 2017 on Ark-peace Hospital Ship. The preoperative and 1 d postoperative best-corrected visual acuity and astigmatism were compared, the postoperative ocular recovery was observed, and the intraoperative and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results One day postoperation, 4 (7.7%) of 52 eyes had a best-corrected visual acuity ranging from 0.06 to 0.3, 26 (50.0%) 0.4 to 0.6, and 22 (42.3%) 0.8 to 1.2. Slit-lamp examination showed that 48 eyes (92.3%) had corneal hyaline on 1-3 d after operation, 4 eyes (7.7%) had corneal edema, and 50 eyes (96.2%) had round pupil with diameter being 2.0-3.0 mm, and posterior corneal deposits and Tyndall effect were negative in all eyes. The mean astigmatism of 52 eyes before operation was significantly higher than that on 1 d after operation ([1.13±1.02] D vs[2.67±0.87] D, t=2.365, P<0.05). Posterior capsular rupture and vitreous prolapse occurred in 2 eyes (3.8%), prolapse of iris in 1 eye (1.9%), and progressive pupil reduction in 2 eyes (3.8%) during operation. Corneal edema occurred in 4 eyes (7.7%) on 1 d after operation. Conclusion Cataract phacoemulsification combined with implantation of artificial lens can be safely and effectively performed on Ark-peace Hospital Ship.