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.

Keywords

• cataract surgery
• elderly population
• visual acuity