Correlation between early, measurable improvement in quality of life and speed of visual rehabilitation after phacoemulsification.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether improvements in measurable health-related quality-of-life (HR-QoL) functions parallel the rapid visual recovery after phacoemulsification.


METHODS
The Cataract Treatment Center, Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Sunderland, England.


METHODS
This study comprised 144 patients having first-eye phacoemulsification cataract extraction. They were assessed using a standard EuroQoL generic (non-disease specific) multidimensional HR-QoL instrument to evaluate preoperative and 1 month postoperative health profile measures in social, psychological, and general health aspects.


RESULTS
Within 1 month of phacoemulsification, change in vision was accompanied by significant changes in HR-QoL functions such as home activities, social activities, self-care, mobility, and psychological well-being.


CONCLUSIONS
The speed of visual rehabilitation after phacoemulsification was paralleled by improvement across HR-QoL functions, resulting in the rapid recovery of functional independence and health status.
Jayamanne
D G
DG
Sunderland Eye Infirmary, England.
Allen
E D
ED
Wood
C M
CM
Currie
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014792:Visual Acuity