Visual function and postoperative care after cataract surgery in rural China: study of cataract outcomes and up-take of services (SCOUTS) in the caring is hip project, report 2.
OBJECTIVE
To study the postoperative visual function and uptake of refraction and second-eye surgery among persons undergoing cataract surgery in rural China.


METHODS
Self-reported visual function was measured 10 to 14 months after surgery. Subjects with improvement of 2 or more lines with refraction were offered glasses, and those with significant cataract were offered second-eye surgery.


RESULTS
Among 313 eligible subjects, 242 (77%) could be contacted; 176 (73%) of those contacted were examined. Interviewed subjects had a mean +/- SD age of 69.9 +/- 10.2 years, and 63.6% were female. The mean +/- SD visual function score was 88.4 +/- 12.3, higher than previously reported for cataract programs in rural China and significantly (P = .03) correlated with presenting vision. Forty-two percent of subjects had spectacles, more than half being reading glasses. Though 87% of subjects' vision improved with refraction, only 35% accepted prescriptions, the most common reason for refusal being lack of perceived need. Second-eye surgery was accepted by a total of 48% (85 of 176) of patients, cost being the biggest reason for refusal.


CONCLUSIONS
Visual function was high in this cohort. Potential benefit of refraction and second-eye surgery was substantial, but uptake of services was modest. Programs to improve service uptake should focus on reading glasses and cost-reduction strategies such as tiered pricing.
Congdon
Nathan G
NG
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Eye Hospital 3/F, 147K Argyle St, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. ncongdon@cuhk.edu.hk
Rao
Srinivas K
SK
Zhao
Xiaqing
X
Wang
Weizhao
W
Choi
Kai
K
Lam
Dennis S C
DS
D000368:Aged; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*