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Br J Ophthalmol 2008;92:883-887 doi:10.1136/bjo.2007.132423
  • Global issues

The effect of glasses on visual function following cataract surgery in a cataract camp

  1. J Maki1,
  2. S Kusakul2,
  3. K Morley3,
  4. T Sanguansak4,
  5. J Seddon5,
  6. L Hartung6,
  7. M Morley7
  1. 1
    Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
  2. 2
    Nakhon Phanom Hospital, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand
  3. 3
    Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
  4. 4
    Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
  5. 5
    New England Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
  6. 6
    Eastham, MA, USA
  7. 7
    Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Boston, MA, USA
  1. Dr M Morley, Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, 50 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 01224, USA; mgmorley{at}eyeboston.com
  • Accepted 26 April 2008

Abstract

Aim: To investigate visual and functional impact of glasses following cataract surgery in a high-volume cataract camp as measured by the World Health Organization Prevention of Blindness Visual Function Questionnaire (WHO/PBD-VFQ-20).

Method: Subjects were administered the WHO/PBD-VFQ three times: (1) preoperatively; (2) 3 months postoperatively, before glasses; and (3) 6 months postoperatively, after 3 months with glasses. Patients were given prescription glasses or +2.50 readers at the 3-month follow-up.

Results: 315 patients enrolled in the study; 113 patients had complete WHO/PBD-VFQ and visual acuity data from all three administrations. The mean preoperative visual acuity in the surgical eye was 20/327. Following cataract surgery but before glasses, visual acuity improved to 20/57. Total WHO/PBD-VFQ and subscale scores improved significantly at the 3-month point. With glasses, visual acuity improved to 20/43. Total WHO/PBD-VFQ scores did not change following glasses, although the overall and near vision subscales did improve significantly. Glasses were worn once per week or less in 56% of patients.

Conclusion: Postoperative glasses result in modest improvements in visual acuity. Total WHO/PBD-VFQ scores did not change significantly following glasses, but the overall and near vision subscales did improve. The net beneficial effect of glasses was small relative to cataract surgery itself.

Footnotes

  • Funding: Supported from a grant from the Center for Eye Research and Education (CERE). CERE had no involvement in the planning, execution or writing of this manuscript

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Ethics approval: All procedures and protocols were approved by Khon Kaen University Institutional Review Board.

  • Patient consent: Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects.

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