Predicting the refractive result after cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To study the accuracy of predicting visual results after cataract surgery using a mathematical model of surgically induced refractive change and a previously published regression formula predicting uncorrected visual acuity as a function of the resulting spherocylinder.


METHODS
Outpatient cataract clinic at a university hospital.


METHODS
In this prospective study with a 4 month follow-up, 333 patients had phacoemulsification using a 6 or 4 mm scleral tunnel incision. Final refraction and uncorrected visual acuity were predicted based on preoperative and 1 day postoperative measurements, which were compared with the final visual results.


RESULTS
A significant correlation was found between the observed and the predicted visual acuity in each eye (P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
The visual outcome of cataract extraction can be predicted from a theoretical model of the surgically induced refractive change.
Olsen
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Department of Ophthalmology, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity