Visual acuity outcomes after cataract extraction in adult latinos. The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine prevalence, primary causes, and risk indicators of visual impairment in cataract-operated eyes.


METHODS
Population-based cross-sectional study of adult Latinos.


METHODS
Two hundred sixty-one participants with cataract extraction.


METHODS
Participants underwent an in-home interview and a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination. Visual impairment in the cataract-operated eye was defined by presenting visual acuity (PVA) of 20/40 or less or best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/40 or less. The association of cataract extraction status (aphakic, pseudophakic) and severity of visual impairment was evaluated. Risk indicators associated with visual impairment by BCVA in the worse-seeing cataract-operated eye were evaluated.


METHODS
Visual acuity, causes of visual impairment, and risk indicators associated with visual impairment.


RESULTS
Of the 261 participants with at least one cataract extraction and a complete clinical examination, 100 (38%) participants had undergone a unilateral extraction and 161 (62%) had undergone bilateral extractions. The prevalence of visual impairment was 41% (n = 107) defined by BCVA and 60.5% (n = 158) defined by PVA in the worse-seeing cataract-operated eye, and 32.2% (n = 136) defined by BCVA versus 48.1% (n = 203) defined by PVA in all cataract-operated eyes. Uncorrected refractive error, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy were the primary causes of visual impairment, accounting for 49% in worse-seeing cataract-operated eyes and 57% in all cataract-operated eyes. Self-reported history of glaucoma, barriers to eye care, and unmarried participants were independent risk indicators associated with visual impairment (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite cataract surgery, a significant proportion of participants had residual visual impairment. Refractive correction eliminated visual impairment in 15% to 20% of the participants, demonstrating the need for regular ophthalmologic examinations in cataract-operated patients.
Barañano
Anne E
AE
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Wu
Joanne
J
Mazhar
Kashif
K
Azen
Stanley P
SP
Varma
Rohit
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001036:Aphakia, Postcataract / Q000208:ethnology; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*