Visual complaints and binocular function in bilaterally aphakic persons with cataract glasses.

Seventy-one consecutive patients who underwent operation for senile cataract in both eyes during the period 1969-1973 were examined and questioned about visual complaints an average of 18 months after being fitted with cataract spectacles. In the distance situation none had complaints, either reported spontaneously or after questioning. Except for a few immobile patients, all could manage on their own in the street and on stairs. In the near situation 16 of the 71 patients had permanent alternating or intermittent exotropia which, however, gave rise to diplopic complaints in only two. The diplopia in these two patients disappeared after the glasses had been decentered. On questioning, complaints of diplopia could be elicited in another 5 patients. Investigation of sensory binocular function using Titmus' sterotest showed that 35 of the 71 patients could manage the test at the level 40 inches/arc. Division of the material into two groups by duration of monocular visual function during the development of the cataract and during the period between the operations on the two eyes, disclosed that this factor was of no importance to the postoperative motor and sensory binocular function.