SUMMARY
ABSTRACT An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out to describe the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of patients surgically treated by senile cataracts in Santa Rita, Zulia. Venezuela. July to November 2007. The universe was comprised of 203 patients (eyes), and the simple random sample was estimated in 56 patients (eyes). Data were obtained from the observation of the patient, ophthalmologic examination and the individual clinical records. A form was printed to collect information. Descriptive statistical methods were used to represent variables in absolute and relative frequencies. The age bracket 60-69 and females prevailed; 53, 6 % of patients were diabetic, glaucoma occupied the 2nd place with 39.3%. Pre-operatory visual acuity was mainly in the rank of 0, 3-0,6 (58,9 %). Cataract affected both eyes in the same proportions. Post-operative complications were infrequent (< 20 %), varying on time of presentations, among the immediate ones were: the corneal edema and the secondary ocular hypertension; among the mediate were subluxation of IOL and bullosa keratopathy, whereas the late complication, posterior capsule opacity was the most observed. Most of the patients evaluated either the satisfaction with the surgical service, or the follow up in the community as good. These results should be generalized to contribute to the increase of the quality of life and a greater satisfaction of the Venezuelan population affected by Senile Cataracts. Key words: Cataract/complications, general clinics, epidemiology, surgery.