Preferred postoperative refraction after cataract surgery for high myopia

J Cataract Refract Surg. 1995 Jan;21(1):35-8. doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(13)80476-2.

Abstract

Eighty-four patients (121 eyes) with high myopia who had cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation completed a survey on preferred postoperative refraction. Forty-two percent of the sample reported that they were accustomed to removing their glasses to read a newspaper or book. These respondents were fitted with soft contact lenses and their refraction changed to 0 D, -3.00 D, and -5.00 D. Of the patients whose best corrected postoperative visual acuity was 20/40 or better (n = 63), 48% preferred the -3.00 D correction; 38%, the 0 D correction; and 14%, -5.00 D. Of those with a best corrected postoperative visual acuity worse than 20/200 (n = 8), 80% preferred the -5.00 D refraction, which allowed them to read close up. Most patients with phakic eyes and good visual acuity (n = 13) preferred the 0 D and -3.00 D corrections. Our results indicate that in patients with high myopia, it is important to take patient preference into account when selecting postoperative refraction.

MeSH terms

  • Cataract Extraction*
  • Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic
  • Eyeglasses
  • Humans
  • Lenses, Intraocular*
  • Myopia / physiopathology
  • Myopia / surgery*
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Postoperative Period
  • Refraction, Ocular*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Visual Acuity