Evaluation of selected aspects of quality of life in patients aged 55-75 years before and after cataract surgery

Introduction: Diseases involving a visual function disorder relate to many areas of the body and very often lead to reduced quality of life. According to the World Health Organisation, cataracts are the most common as a cause of blindness in the world. It is a congenital or degenerative disease leading to clouding of the lens of the eye. Over the last few years there has been tremendous progress in the surgical treatment of this disease. The main purpose of cataract surgery is to improve or maintain the quality of life of patients. Aim of the work: Evaluation of selected aspects of quality of life in patients before and after cataract surgery.

Material and methods: The study group consisted of 100 patients operated for cataract in the age group 55-75 years. The research method was a diagnostic survey and research tool questionnaire. The study also used the scale of life satisfaction (Cantril ladder). The evaluation of visual acuity was made using Snellen charts (for near and far). The results were statistically analysed.

Results: The largest group of respondents (42%) were in the age group 70-75 years. Before the cataract surgery, 49% of respondents identified their binocular vision with glasses as weak, and 46% as average. The deterioration of vision had an impact on activity limitations in social life for 23% of respondents, and limitation of physical activity for 10%. The majority of respondents (67%) said that before surgery they had had a problem with the performance of close to wearing corrective glasses. After cataract surgery 98% of respondents said that their vision improved. The vast majority of respondents (85%) identified their binocular vision with glasses as good. Improving vision improved the life activity for 32% of those surveyed to a large extent, and for 23% of respondents it improved life activity moderately. The vast majority of respondents (91%) admitted that after surgery they had no problems with the performance of close to wearing corrective glasses.

Conclusions:

1. The weaker the visual acuity, the worse the daily functioning of the patients, forcing changes in their existing personal and professional life.

2. The majority of respondents reported a great improvement in vision after cataract surgery, which contributed to their return to active life. Women more often than men felt a surge of vital energy, and took on new, additional activities.

3. Responding patients following cataract surgery assessed their satisfaction with life to be better than before the surgery.