Predictors of visual acuity improvement after phacoemulsification cataract surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Public Health

Background:

• Cataract surgery is a common procedure globally.
• Understanding predictors of visual outcomes is crucial for patient management.
• Data from Middle Eastern developing countries are essential for comprehensive analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify preoperative predictors of visual acuity improvement after phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
• To assess the validity of a newly developed preoperative complication risk score.
• To provide insights relevant to a developing country context in the Middle East.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective longitudinal study of 1,370 adult patients undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery.
• Data collected included pre-operative ocular history, complication risk score, and visual acuity.
• Intraoperative complications and postoperative visual acuity/refractive error were recorded.

Main Results:

• Mean age of patients was 66.39 years.
• 48.4% achieved visual acuity ≥ 0.8, and 72.7% achieved ≥ 0.5.
• Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and high-risk surgery were significant predictors of visual acuity improvement.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative factors significantly influence visual outcomes post-cataract surgery.
• The study identified key predictors in a Jordanian population.
• A novel preoperative complication risk score was introduced.