Presenile cataract. A follow-up investigation with special reference to occupational aspects.

A retrospective investigation was carried out of 100 patients below the age of 60 years operated for presenile cataract. The material has been divided into three occupational groups, depending on the visual requirements. The complaints prior to and after operation have been related to the patient ability to retain their employment. Of 78 patients who were still employed, only 45 were able to return to their former occupation after the first cataract extraction. The final result was that 62 patients could continue their former work, 12 changed their occupation due to aphakia problems, while four had to retire. The vision in the fellow eye, the type of work and the optical appliances have been found to be of primary importance. It is concluded that operation for unilateral cataract is inadvisable, if the vision of the fellow eye is good and contact lenses cannot be used, that the time between operations for bilateral cataract should be as short as possible, and that the use of contact lenses is essential.