Visual function and outcomes after cataract surgery in a Singapore population.

PURPOSE: To identify the predictors of visual outcomes (visual acuity and visual function) in cataract surgery patients in Singapore and compare the visual outcomes of phacoemulsification and extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE).

SETTING

Singapore National Eye Center, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.

METHODS

The visual function was measured by the VF-14 and visual acuity in the operated and the better eye in 460 systematically sampled cataract surgery patients preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. Several patient- and surgery-related predictive factors were recorded.

RESULTS

After cataract surgery, 85.1% of patients reported improved visual acuity in the operated eye and 77.6% reported improved visual function. Patients with poorer visual acuity and visual function at baseline reported greater improvements in visual acuity and visual function. Patients who had phacoemulsification had better final visual function (P =.006) and better final visual acuity (P <.001) scores. In multiple linear regression models, final visual function was better in patients without preexisting eye disease and with better baseline visual function, and final visual acuity in the operated eye was better in patients who were younger, were better educated, had no preexisting conditions or postoperative complications, and had a better baseline visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with poorer baseline visual acuity or who had no preexisting eye disease reported more improvement in visual acuity in the operated eye. Several factors including no preexisting eye disease were associated with better final visual acuity and visual function scores.