[Influence of cataract surgical correction on working perception].

PURPOSE: To analyze the benefits after cataract surgery in professional activities.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized study was conducted at the Clinical Hospital of the University of São Paulo. The patients had cataract surgery by phacoemulsification (PHACO) and by extracapsular extraction (EECP).

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 205 patients, 101 of these, submitted to phacoemulsification. The mean age in phacoemulsification group was 68.3 years ± 9 years and 69.1 years ± 8.5 years in extracapsular extraction group (p=0.70). The percentage of patients employed in phacoemulsification group was 16.83%, and in the extracapsular extraction group of 13.46%. Most patients who were not employed felt motivated to seek work. Most of the patients increased their productivity at work after surgery, 82.50% in the phacoemulsification group, and 78.60% in the other group (p=0.20).

CONCLUSION

Cataract surgery of both techniques has improved the productivity at work and encouraged economically inactive individuals to seek employment.