Changes of visual function and visual ability in daily life following cataract surgery.

PURPOSE

To examine best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS) and functional visual complaints in early cataract and after the cataract surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

53 eyes with early cataract (BCVA 20/30: Snellen charts) were examined before the surgery as well as 12 months after the surgery. BCVA was tested using logMAR chart. CS was examined using VCTS chart in 6 spatial frequencies. Influence of glare was tested using BAT. Patients' subjective visual functions were evaluted using a questionnaire (distance vision, near vision, mesopic vision and glare conditions). 22 subjects were examined as control group.

RESULTS

BCVA was 0.52 (0.22-1.05) preoperatively and 0.83 (0.37-1.26) postoperatively. BCVA in patients in both terms was significantly lower compared to the control group. CS in patients before surgery was significantly lower compared to controls, postoperatively improved significantly and was only nonsignificantly lower compared to controls except for the highest spatial frequency. Glare had only nonsignificant influence. The questionnaire scores were correlated with visual performance in both terms.

CONCLUSIONS

The significant improvement of both BCVA and CS suggest that cataract surgery improves quality of life in early cataract. Questionnaire should be considered as adjuncts to BCVA and CS in evaluating early cataract.