The importance of acuity, stereopsis, and contrast sensitivity for health-related quality of life in elderly women with cataracts.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relative contribution of visual and other factors to quality of life among elderly women with bilateral cataract.


METHODS
Data were analyzed from a trial of first-eye cataract surgery. Visual parameters, general health, and social variables, and disease-specific (VF-14 Index of Visual Function), generic (Euroqol: EQ-5D, London Handicap Scale, Barthel), and intermediate (anxiety, depression, and activity) outcomes were measured at baseline and 6 months later, when approximately half the group had had surgery.


RESULTS
Three hundred six participants provided data at baseline, and 289 at 6 months. At baseline, acuity, stereopsis, and contrast sensitivity were all associated with quality of life. Acuity and stereopsis were most strongly and consistently associated. Change in VF-14 was associated with changes in stereopsis and contrast sensitivity, while change in handicap was associated with change in stereopsis.


CONCLUSIONS
Acuity, stereopsis, and contrast sensitivity each contributed to quality of life, across a range of measures, in elderly women with cataract. Acuity was marginally the most consistently and generally the most strongly associated, but in some analyses stereopsis was more important. Change in quality of life was associated with change in stereopsis and contrast sensitivity.
Datta
Sayan
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Foss
Alexander J E
AJ
Grainge
Matthew J
MJ
Gregson
Richard M
RM
Zaman
Anwar
A
Masud
Tahir
T
Osborn
Fran
F
Harwood
Rowan H
RH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003867:Depth Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D016387:Women's Health