J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2007 Jul;48(7):905-910.

Factors Affecting the Visual Outcome of Cataract Surgery in the Very Elderly

• Kim C
• Kwon JW
• Wee WR
• Lee JH
• Han YK

Abstract

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcome of cataract surgery and to determine factors influencing the postoperative visual acuity in patients aged 85 years and older.
METHODS
The best corrected visual acuity before and 3 months after cataract surgery in patients aged 85 years and older was measured. Age, sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, astigmatism, corneal endothelial cell count, ocular comorbidity, and intraoperative complication were analyzed to determine which factors influence the postoperative visual acuity.
RESULTS
The postoperative visual acuity improved in 87% of patients, and a visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 56% of patients. Posterior capsular rupture and zonular dialysis were found as intraoperative complications in 16% of patients. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine which factors influence the postoperative visual acuity; age(p=0.009), ocular comorbidity (p=0.009), and intraoperative complication (p=0.010) were significantly associated with postoperative visual acuity.
CONCLUSIONS
The postoperative visual acuity following cataract surgery in patients aged 85 years and older improved in 87% of patients, and old age, ocular comorbidity, and intraoperative complication were predictors of a poorer visual outcome.

Keyword

Cataract surgery; Elderly; Old age

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Astigmatism
Cataract*
Comorbidity
Diabetes Mellitus
Dialysis
Endothelial Cells
Humans
Hypertension
Intraoperative Complications
Rupture
Visual Acuity