The prevalence of cataract surgery and the assessment of postoperative visual function in the population of the Republic of Bashkortostan

Abstract

Purpose. Studying the prevalence and functional results of cataract surgery and factors that negatively affect postoperative visual functions in the population of the R epublic of Bashkortostan.Material and methods. The study was carried out on the basis of a pilot descriptive population study – Ural Eye and Medical Study (UEMS), conducted on the basis of the Ufa Research Institute of Eye Diseases. This analysis included 5 885 people aged 40 and over with data on performing cataract surgery. Poor visual outcome after cataract surgery was defined with uncorrected visual acuity below 0.3. Statistical data analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics application package.Results. The prevalence of cataract surgery was 6.1% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 5.5–6.8%). A higher frequency of operations was associated with the age factor (odds ratio – OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.11– 1.15%, p<0.001), male gender (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.43–2.59, p=0.003), urban living (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.04–1.80, p=0.02) and widowhood (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.13–2.17, p=0.006). Low visual results after cataract surgery, considering the maximum postoperative correction, were found in 16.1% of cases (81 eyes). The main reasons for the low postoperative outcome: refractive error (40.4%), macular degeneration (18.5%), glaucoma (16.0%), posterior capsule opacification (13.6%) and diabetic retinopathy (12.3%).Conclusion. The obtained results of good postoperative uncorrected visual acuity amounted to 73.1% and turned out to be quite close to international standards (80%). The main reasons for the low visual results of cataract surgery were refractive error and age-related macular degeneration.

Keywords

• population study
• cataract surgery
• the prevalence of cataract surgery