The study was done to report visual outcomes and factors associated with good visual outcomes after cataract surgery among the elderly residents in ‘homes for the aged’ in Hyderabad, India.
1215 eyes of 703 individuals who had cataract surgery were chosen for the analysis. The mean age of these participants was 77.5 years (SD: 8.2 years; range: 60–108 years), 66.8% were women, 29.9% reported diabetes and 61% reported hypertension. 406/1215 eyes had VI after cataract surgery. Posterior capsular opacification 31.8% was the leading cause of VI followed by uncorrected refractive error 24.1%. The prevalence of good outcomes was 66.6% (95% CI 63.8 to 69.2). On applying multivariable analysis, younger age, self-reported hypertension, independent mobility, surgery in a non-government (as opposed to private) hospital and undergoing paid surgery were associated with good outcomes.
The study concluded that one-third of the eyes of elderly individuals living in homes for the aged that had previously undergone cataract surgery had VI. Regular eye examinations with the provision of laser capsulotomy and appropriate refractive correction can substantially improve their vision.
Reference: https://bjo.bmj.com/content/early/2020/09/04/bjophthalmol-2020-317167
