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Author Spotlight: Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms in PCO and Fibrosis Following Cataract Surgery
Published on: December 1, 2023
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To what extent do cataracts and cataract surgery change perception?
Simona Garobbio1,2, Hanna Zuche3,4, Ursula Hall3,5,6
1Laboratory of Psychophysics, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
Journal of Vision
|August 27, 2025
Summary
Cataracts impair most visual functions, but not coherent motion (CMot). Cataract surgery improves vision, especially after the first eye
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Vision Science
Background:
- Cataract surgery is a common procedure globally, usually improving visual acuity (VA).
- The impact of cataracts and surgery on visual functions beyond VA and contrast sensitivity is not fully understood.
- Cognitive factors may play a role in maintaining visual performance with cataracts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how cataracts affect various visual functions, including coherent motion (CMot), orientation discrimination, visual search, and reaction time.
- To assess changes in these visual functions after cataract surgery.
- To explore the relationship between visual function, cataract severity, cognitive scores, and self-assessment.
Main Methods:
- 28 adults (55-85 years) with vision-impairing cataracts were tested.
- Visual tests included VA, contrast sensitivity, CMot, orientation discrimination, visual search, and reaction time.
- Assessments occurred pre-surgery, 1 week post-first surgery, 1 week post-second surgery, and 1 month post-second surgery. Cognitive and self-assessment questionnaires were also administered.
Main Results:
- Cataracts impaired all tested visual functions except CMot.
- Post-surgery, VA, contrast sensitivity, and CMot significantly improved; orientation discrimination showed marginal gains; visual search and reaction times did not change.
- Improvements were more pronounced after the first eye surgery, with stronger correlations between low-level vision, cataract severity, and self-assessment for the first operated eye. Cognitive scores correlated with CMot, orientation discrimination, and visual search.
Conclusions:
- Cataracts significantly impact low-level visual processing, while higher-level functions may be preserved through cognitive compensation.
- Cataract surgery restores performance in most visual tests, but not all.
- Ophthalmic care should consider visual functions beyond VA and incorporate cognitive assessments.
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