PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - M Lundström AU - E Wendel TI - Duration of self assessed benefit of cataract extraction: a long term study AID - 10.1136/bjo.2005.065961 DP - 2005 Aug 01 TA - British Journal of Ophthalmology PG - 1017--1020 VI - 89 IP - 8 4099 - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/89/8/1017.short 4100 - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/89/8/1017.full SO - Br J Ophthalmol2005 Aug 01; 89 AB - Aim: To investigate how long patients’ improved visual function lasts after a cataract extraction. Methods: Patients’ self assessed visual function was evaluated using the Catquest questionnaire both before and 6 months after a cataract extraction. The study population consisted of 615 patients undergoing a cataract extraction during 1995–2002. A final follow up with a new questionnaire was performed in 2003, between 1 year and 8 years after surgery. Results: 445 (72.4%) patients were alive at follow up and agreed to participate in the study. The number of subjects still showing improved visual function after surgery decreased with longer follow up. After 7 years, 80% had improved visual function compared with before surgery. 50% of all originally operated subjects were alive 7 years postoperatively and enjoyed better visual function than they had done before surgery. Ocular co-morbidity in the operated eye or self assessed poor visual function before surgery was significantly related to deteriorated visual function at follow up. Conclusion: The number of subjects who experienced improved visual function after a cataract extraction decreased over the course of time postoperatively. Presence of ocular co-morbidity was significantly related to worsened function.