Results of Cataract Surgery in the Very Elderly Population

Abstract

PURPOSE:The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effect of cataract surgery on visual acuity (VA) and daily living activities in participants aged over 80 years. METHODS: For eighty-three eyes from eighty three eligible patients aged 80 or above who had undergone cataract surgery between 2000 and 2005, preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), satisfaction score for daily living activities, surgical complications, and retinal pathologies affecting vision were recorded from the patient's file. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 86.80±5.24 years (range, 80-98). VA improved in the operated eye for patients aged 80 to 89 and for those over 90 years. Postoperative VA of 0.5 or better was more frequently observed in those aged 80 to 89 than in those aged over 90 years (90.6% and 73.4%, respectively). Mean postoperative scores for the daily living activities scale were significantly better in both groups as compared to preoperative levels, and were better in the 80 to 89-year age group than for those older than 90. Intraoperative posterior capsule perforation occurred in two participants, cystoid macular edema in one, iridodialysis in one and postoperative refractory stromal edema occurred in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that better VA levels for daily living activities can be obtained after cataract surgery in elderly patients aged over 80 years, thereby suggesting that cataract removal is effective removal in this population. RESUMEN OBJETIVO:El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar de manera retrospectiva los efectos de la cirugía de cataratas sobre la agudeza visual (AV) y sobre las actividades de la vida diaria en pacientes mayores de 80 años. MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron en el estudio 83 ojos de 83 pacientes mayores de 80 años que cumplían todos los criterios de inclusión y que se habían sometido a una intervención quirúrgica de cataratas entre los años 2000 y 2005. Para cada paciente, se tomó de su historia clínica la agudeza visual con la mejor corrección (o sus siglas en inglés, BCVA) tanto pre-como posquirúrgica, el índice de satisfacción relativo a las actividades de la vida diaria, las complicaciones derivadas de la intervención, y las patologías de la retina que padecía dicho paciente y que afectaban a su capacidad visual. RESULTADOS: La edad media de los paciente fue de 86 años (rango: entre 80 y 98). La AV en el ojo operado mejoró, tanto para los pacientes con edades comprendidas entre los 80 y los 89 años como para los mayores de 90 años. Se obtuvieron más casos de AV posquirúrgica igual o mejor que 0.5 en el grupo de pacientes de entre 80 y 89 años que en el grupo de mayores de 90 años (90,6% de los casos frente a un 73,4%). El lo que respecta a la escala de actividades de la vida diaria, las puntuaciones promedio obtenidas tras la intervención fueron, para ambos grupos, significativamente mejores que los valores prequirúrgicos. Esta mejora observada tras la intervención fue más acusada en el grupo de pacientes de entre 80 y 89 años que ...

Clinical Outcomes of Cataract Surgery in Very Elderly Adults

“…Three studies showed that approximately 70% of very elderly adults achieved improvement in visual acuity. [9][10][11] One study demonstrated that visual acuity improved in 94% of individuals aged 90 and older. 12 The difference could be attributed to the prevalence of systemic and ocular comorbidities, variation in sample size, and duration of follow-up.…”

“…Three previous studies reported that approximately 70% of very elderly adults could achieve improvement in visual acuity after cataract surgery. [9][10][11] Small sample size or short duration of follow-up constrained these studies. Larger sample size and longer duration of follow-up will provide a clearer picture of the clinical outcomes in this group of individuals.…”

Relation between Vision Function and Self Care Practices of Older Adults with Cataract

“…The same finding was reported by Mahmoud &Monsudi (2012), on the impact of cataract surgery on visual function and quality of life of elderly patients in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria; who found that the mean age was 61.6±9.8 years (36) . Moreover, a studies conducted by Leon et al (2008) and Mehmeta & Abuzer (2009) on the impact of cataract surgery on visual acuity and quality of life of elderly people , who reported that the mean age was 74.32±6.44, 86.80±5.24 years respectively (30,31) .…”

Cataract Surgery in Very Old Patients: A Case-Control Study

“…Studies on cataract surgery outcomes in the elderly population (>85 or >90 years) have been reported in Japan [1], Sweden [2,4], UK [5][6][7], Denmark [8], Germany [9], Korea [10], USA [11][12][13], China [14], Turkey [15], and Israel [16]. However, none of these studies included a matched control in systemic and ocular comorbidity, which may confound the age effect [17].…”