Predictive Value of Excellent Uncorrected Visual Acuity Post-Operative Day One After Cataract Surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Vision Science

Background:

• Post-operative day 1 (POD1) uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) is a key indicator of cataract surgery success.
• Excellent visual outcomes on POD1 do not always predict long-term results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between excellent POD1 UCVA and final UCVA after uncomplicated cataract surgery.
• To determine the stability of visual acuity gains achieved early after surgery.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical records for patients undergoing uncomplicated cataract surgery (2012-2017).
• Collected POD1 UCVA and final UCVA data for patients achieving 20/20 or better best-corrected visual acuity.
• Compared final UCVA based on initial POD1 visual outcomes.

Main Results:

• Of 309 patients with 20/20 UCVA on POD1, 62.4% maintained 20/20 and 87.4% maintained 20/25 or better final UCVA.
• Of 204 patients with 20/25 UCVA on POD1, 44.1% achieved 20/20 and 69.6% maintained 20/25 or better final UCVA.
• Patients with 20/20 UCVA on POD1 were more likely to achieve better final UCVA; however, 20% of all patients with UCVA ≥20/25 on POD1 had final UCVA worse than 20/25.

Conclusions:

• Most patients achieving 20/20 UCVA on POD1 after cataract surgery retain excellent final visual outcomes.
• A notable percentage of patients experience a decline in UCVA from POD1 to the final postoperative assessment.
• Early excellent visual acuity is a positive predictor but does not guarantee sustained visual performance.