Purpose: To evaluate patient satisfaction and functional visual outcome, safety, and visual and refractive outcomes of simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery (SBCS).
Setting: North Karelia Central Hospital, Joensuu, Finland.
Methods: A retrospective external review of 200 patients drawn randomly from 637 patients who underwent SBCS at the North Karelia Central Hospital in 2001 was performed. Of the 200 eligible patients, 141 who returned a completed questionnaire on patient satisfaction and functional visual outcome of SBCS were enrolled. Postoperative refraction and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were available in 148 eyes of 74 patients.
Results: The surgery was carried out under topical anesthesia, and 98% were outpatient surgeries. No serious intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. Of the 141 patients, 96% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 91-98) experienced SBCS as positive or quite positive, 89% (95% CI: 83-94) felt safe to go home after the surgery, and 91% (95% CI: 85-95) would recommend SBCS to their relatives or friends. The mean visual functioning index (VF-7 score) was 87.3 (median 95). Postoperative BCVA was 20/40 or better in 84% (95% CI: 77-89) and 20/25 or better in 66% (95% CI: 57-73) of the 148 eyes examined. The postoperative refraction was +/-0.75 diopter (D) of the target value in 78% (95% CI: 71-85) and +/-1.5 D in 95% (95% CI: 91-98), and the mean anisometropia was 0.26 D (SD 0.6 D, range 0-1.65).
Conclusion: This study provides evidence that SBCS by experienced surgeons is likely to be a safe and efficient procedure and is positively received by patients.