Cataract surgery in eyes with early cataracts

This prospective study assessed visual results and subjective rehabilitation after cataract surgery in eyes with a preoperative acuity of 0.4 (20/40) or better. Fifty eyes (50 patients) were entered in the study. Corrected and uncorrected visual acuity, lens opacity, glare disability, and contrast sensitivity were measured before surgery and four months after surgery. Patient satisfaction was also measured. Best corrected visual acuity was 0.54 +/- 0.12 before surgery and 0.95 +/- 0.15 four months after surgery. Uncorrected visual acuity was 0.24 +/- 0.18 before and 0.58 +/- 0.27 after surgery. Impairment of corrected visual acuity from glare decreased from 0.12 +/- 0.09 before surgery to 0.04 +/- 0.08 four months after surgery. Contrast sensitivity at 6 cycles/degree increased from 2.71 +/- 0.94 units to 4.73 +/- 1.09 units. After surgery, 62% of patients judged their vision to be greatly improved, 32% judged it improved, 6% judged it unchanged. The patient's satisfaction was partially related to the improvement in uncorrected visual acuity. We conclude that cataract surgery can benefit eyes with limited visual impairment if the surgery is uncomplicated and IOL power is calculated correctly.