Visual Acuity, Color Discrimination, and Quality of Life in Patients with Cataract: Towards a Comfortable Lifestyle

Abstract

Senile cataract is a common cause of visual impairment among the elderly, yet its causes are still being investigated. Severe cataracts can progressively impair visual acuity and color discrimination in most afflicted patients. However, not all patients opt for surgery; instead, some use glasses as a temporary treatment. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 39 senile cataract patients regarding both their visual acuity and color discrimination after using corrective lenses. In this study, 19 (48.7%) patients described poor visual acuity or discomfort in either eye, while 16 (41.0%) reported problems with color discrimination. Using the National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire scores, we found that most patients reported improved vision and quality of life, but questions regarding general health, near activities, driving, and color vision remain to be addressed.

The Combination of Treatment for Glaucoma

“…Patients tend to complain that they often do not see things, so they stumble quickly. The patient may notice that while reading, there are some missing words, and visual acuity does not improve after correction (CHEN et al, 2016). Another complaint that can occur is a headache that its location cannot explain.…”

The Relationship Between Lens Opacities and Color Discrimination Ability in Cataract Patients

“…Along with the development of cataracts to a more advanced level, the lens will become completely murky and trigger the occurrence of blindness. Heavier cataracts can affect the occurrence of visual disturbances and the ability to discriminate colors, in particular color discrimination in the red and purple spectrum, and the blue and green color spectrum [7,9]. This condition is due to an increase in optical density of the lens causing a change in transmission light through the lens, and the more yellow the color of the lens, the more absorbed light with a short wavelength with a spectrum between 450 and 470 nm [10].…”