Correlation between Postoperative Visual Acuity and Patient-Related Outcomes in Senile Cataract

Aims: This study assessed visual function (VF) and quality of life (QOL) post cataract surgery and their relationship with post-operative presenting visual acuity (PVA) in patients operated for senile cataract in two hospitals in Jos, North-central Nigeria.

Study Design: A retrospective, hospital-based, cross-sectional survey.

Place and duration of study: The study took place in the Eye units of the Bingham University Teaching Hospital and the Faith Alive Foundation Hospital both in Jos, North-Central Nigeria between June and August 2021.

Methodology: Patients aged 40 years and above, operated on for senile cataract within 18 months before the onset of the study were included. Sociodemographic data and surgical history were obtained from patients and their surgical records. Visual acuity at presentation was assessed at six weeks or more postoperative period with available correction using Snellen’s acuity and converted to the LogMAR scale. A trained research assistant administered the VF-14 item and QOL-12 item questionnaires and responses were scored using Fletcher’s guidelines. Data was analyzed with STATA version 16.0 using the geometric mean, range, percentages, and Spearman’s rank test.

Results: Eighty-seven (69.6%) participants aged 40-104 years, mean of 67.2 ± 12.0 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1.1:1 were enrolled. Their mean PVA was 0.6LogMAR (6/24) which improved to 0.3LogMAR (6/12). The mean total VF and QOL were 87.1% and 97.5% respectively. Depth perception (99.6%), visual perception, and peripheral vision (94.2% each) scored the highest in the VF subscales. Mental well-being (97.9%) scored the highest in the QOL subscale, followed by social interaction (97.3%). There was a negative correlation between PVA and mean total VF (rs = -0.4, P<0.0001) and QOL (rs = -0.3, P = 0.011).

Conclusion: In this study population, VF and QOL scores improved with increasing PVA.