Frequency of fundus pathology related to patients' dissatisfaction after phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: The benefit of cataract surgery in the general population concerning visual acuity and subjective visual function has been well established. However, a small proportion of patients are dissatisfied after cataract surgery. Our study aims to evaluate patients' dissatisfaction after phacoemulsification cataract surgery related to low visual function and to analyze the factors associated with this outcome.

METHODS

397 patients, who underwent uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery, participated in the study. All the participants completed a self-administered questionnaire which evaluated their visual function pre- and post-operatively. Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) was measured before and after cataract surgery and patients' contentment if they were satisfied or not with the result of the surgery was also recorded.

RESULTS

Macular disease, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma were the main factors limiting the final visual result after phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

It is very important for the patients to be preoperatively fully aware of the presentation of the aforementioned fundus pathology and to be warned about the predicted visual outcome after cataract surgery.