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Retinal Age Gap as a Biomarker for Patient Satisfaction and Visual Quality After Cataract Surgery
Koji Komatsu1, Yoichiro Masuda2, Kei Sano2
1From the Department of Ophthalmology (K.K., Y.M., K.S., R.O., S.M., M.I., K.I., E.N., T.O., T.N.), Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Ophthalmology (K.K., S.M., M.I.), Machida Municipal Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
The retinal age gap (RAG), a difference between AI-estimated retinal age and chronological age, is linked to patient satisfaction after cataract surgery. A smaller RAG correlates with better outcomes and personalized intraocular lens selection.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Cataract surgery aims to restore vision, but patient satisfaction varies.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) can estimate biological age from retinal images.
- The retinal age gap (RAG) represents the difference between AI-estimated retinal age and chronological age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the retinal age gap (RAG) and visual function after cataract surgery.
- To determine if RAG influences patient satisfaction and visual outcomes post-operatively.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 142 eyes undergoing cataract surgery with monofocal or enhanced monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs).
- Retinal age estimated using the Japan Ocular Imaging Registry (JOIR) AI model; RAG calculated.
- Comparison of 1-month postoperative outcomes (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, satisfaction, spectacle independence, dysphotopsia) between RAG quartiles after age matching.
Main Results:
- The JOIR AI model demonstrated a mean absolute error of 6.98 years for retinal age estimation.
- A smaller RAG was significantly associated with higher patient satisfaction, greater spectacle independence, and fewer reports of glare or waxy vision.
- Larger RAG independently predicted lower satisfaction, regardless of corrected distance visual acuity.
Conclusions:
- A smaller retinal age gap (RAG) is linked to increased patient satisfaction following cataract surgery.
- RAG shows potential as a biomarker for personalizing intraocular lens selection in cataract surgery.
