The impact of cataract surgery on depression among older adults.
BACKGROUND
Aged-related cataract is the leading cause of vision impairment in the elderly. Elderly individuals with cataract not only suffer from the difficulties in daily activities, but also are more prone to depression.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the impact of cataract surgery on depression among older adults.


METHODS
Longitudinal follow-up study.


METHODS
Outpatient ophthalmology and optometry clinics in Birmingham, Alabama.


METHODS
Potential subjects were identified through consecutive chart review of patients seen in 10 ophthalmology and 2 optometry clinics. Three groups of individuals were identified: cataract patients who underwent surgery, cataract patients who did not undergo surgery, and patients without cataract.


METHODS
Depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D).


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between the baseline and follow-up CES-D scores within each group. The unadjusted CES-D score changes did not differ significantly among the three groups. Adjustment for visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in the better and worse eyes, co-morbid conditions, age, gender, and education did not alter this pattern of results.


CONCLUSIONS
Cataract surgery does not appear to have an effect on reducing depressive symptoms in elderly people.
McGwin
Gerald
G
Department of Epidemiology & International Health, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0009, USA. mcgwin@eyes.uab.edu
Li
Jian
J
McNeal
Sandre
S
Owsley
Cynthia
C
D000368:Aged; D000407:Alabama / Q000453:epidemiology; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged