Analysis of preoperative factors predictive of visual acuity in axial myopia.

PURPOSE: To identify the factors predicting visual acuity after cataract surgery in patients with high myopia.

SETTING

Departments of Ophthalmology, Showa University School of Medicine and Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.

METHODS

Stepwise regression analysis was used to identify the factors determining the visual acuity in 940 eyes with an axial length of 27.0 mm or longer having cataract surgery. Using a formula derived from the stepwise regression analysis, the predicted postoperative visual acuity was compared with the actual value measured in another group of 104 eyes.

RESULTS

Five factors were identified to significantly determine postoperative visual acuity: axial length, age, corneal opacity, refractive power of the cornea, and history of retinal detachment surgery. There was a significant relationship between predicted and actual postoperative visual acuities (r = .51, P < .001). Postoperative visual acuity was similar in 63% of cases.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that at least five factors determine visual acuity after cataract surgery in patients with high myopia.