[Impact of cataract surgery upon functional capacity of the elderly]

To determine the impact of cataract intervention on visual function of the elderly and on autonomy in daily activities, analyzing the influence of clinical and sociodemographic variables.

Observational and longitudinal study. 185 elderly patients having undergone cataract surgery were compared with 179 elderly patients on a surgical waiting list. The first group was evaluated prior to surgery and at 4 months post-intervention. Control group patients were evaluated at the same times, without having received surgery. For all subjects, the state of visual function was determined by the Activities of Daily Vision Scale (ADVS). Degree of dependence in carrying out basic daily activities, cognitive state and self-perception of vision were also measured. Other variables were visual acuity, other ocular diseases and sociodemographic characteristics.

Amongst the elderly patients having undergone surgery, the proportion of subjects able to carry out basic activities 4 months post-intervention (60.7%) was very similar to the initial pre-intervention figure (62.2%). However, in the control group, the proportion (63.1%) diminished significantly at the 4-month mark (48.8%) (p= 0.0001). Of the intervened subjects, 75.7% demonstrated improved self-perception of vision after 4 months as opposed to 15.4% of the non-intervened patients (p= 0.00001). Post-intervention, the mean score on the ADVS rose from 51.0 S.D. 28.4 to 76.0 S.D. 25.4 (p < 0.001). In contrast, the control group's mean score dropped from 54.8 S.D. 24.8 to 46.5 S.D. 27.1 (p < 0.001).

Cataract surgery in the elderly improves visual function and prevents loss of autonomy, delaying dependency in carrying out basic daily activities.