Br J Ophthalmol 2000;84:1380-1382
( December )
Effect of age on visual outcome following cataract extraction
M C Westcotta, S J Tufta, D C Minassianb
a Moorfields Eye
Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK, b Institute of Ophthalmology, London
EC1V 9EL, UK
Correspondence to: Mr S Tuft
stuft1{at}cs.com
Accepted for publication 5 July 2000
AIM
To determine the
effect of age on final corrected visual acuity following cataract extraction.
METHODSA case series
of 880 patients aged 60 years and older undergoing cataract extraction
between 1996 and 1999 was studied. The best corrected visual acuity was
assessed at discharge from the service and the proportion of patients
who achieved a postoperative acuity of 
6/12 was determined for
different age groups. Analysis was also performed after exclusion of
patients identified preoperatively as having ocular comorbidity that
was thought to limit their final corrected acuity. The odds ratios for
visual outcome were calculated for age using multiple logistic
regression analysis to adjust for other prognostic factors.
RESULTSA significant
age effect was observed, with the proportion of patients who had no
ocular comorbidity identified preoperatively and who achieved a visual
acuity of 6/12 at discharge decreasing with age (p<0.001). In
patients with no comorbidity the odds of achieving an acuity of 6/12
were 4.6 times higher in the 60-69 year age group than in the oldest
age group (80+ years).
CONCLUSIONSAge
is a significant determinant of visual outcome. This has implications
if a points system incorporating an assessment of visual acuity or if
visual acuity alone is used to determine the threshold for eligibility
for cataract surgery.
© 2000 by British Journal of Ophthalmology
