Evaluation on visual function and quality of life of patients with cataract

Abstract:

Objective：To assess the changes in visual function（VF） and quality of life（QOL） among patients following Blindness Prevention Surgery Program in a rural area of Chongqing. Methods：The prospective study selected cataract patients via mobile eye screening camps. VF and QOL questionnaires were completed prior and at 3 months after the surgery. Cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens（IOL） implantation was performed on patients by a blindness prevention surgery group. Results：Three hundred and thirty four patients were enrolled with a mean age of 70.45±9.78. The mean preoperative VF score was 20.00±36.67 and the mean postoperative VF was 70.00±30.00（P<0.001）. The mean preoperative QOL score was 68.06±44.44 and the mean postoperative was 94.44±27.78（P<0.001）. The elevated VF scores in severe blindness group were higher than those in vision impairment group and unilateral blindness group（PVI=0.008，PUL=0.042）. The elevated QOL scores in severe blindness group were higher than those in vision impairment group and unilateral blindness group（P＜0.001）. No significant difference was found in the elevated VF scores between four age groups（F=0.397，P=0.755）；but the elevated QOL score were lower in 60-69 age group than in < 60 year-old group and ≥81 year-old group（P＜60=0.038，P≥81=0.009）. Conclusion：The VF and QOL score of cataract patients increased significantly following surgery，suggesting that the surgery is an effective method for improving the QOL of cataract patients in rural areas. Blindness Prevention Surgery Program should be continued in Chongqing and the postoperative follow-up should be conducted carefully.