Age-related maculopathy and cataract surgery outcomes: visual acuity and health-related quality of life

To assess visual acuity (VA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in patients with and without age-related maculopathy (ARM) after cataract surgery.

Patients aged 60+ years who had undergone cataract surgery at the Westmead Hospital during 2001-2003 were re-examined 1-3 years after surgery. Tests included VA and assessment of visual- and HRQoL using standardised questionnaires (VF-14, SF-12). Preoperative comorbidity data were collected from medical records. Poor surgical outcomes (VA<6/12; no VA improvement; lowest quintile of VF-14, SF-12 scores) were compared in patients with and without ARM, adjusting for age, sex, preoperative systemic comorbidities, ocular comorbidities and surgical or postoperative complications.

Of 622 surviving patients, 454 (73%) were followed up for a mean period of 2.8 years. Similar proportions with VA>or=6/12 were observed in patients with (80.2%) and without (88.8%) pre-existing ARM. Preoperative early ARM was only associated with slightly lower mean VF-14 scores (87.64 with vs 92.58 without ARM, P=0.01). Increasing age and preoperative ocular comorbidities were associated with all poor outcomes measured. Low SF-12 scores were associated with preoperative systemic comorbidities.

Our study documents favourable cataract surgical outcomes 1-3 years after cataract surgery in patients with preoperative ARM.