[How much waiting time is acceptable for cataract patients?].
BACKGROUND
Lengthy waiting times are linked to a decline in visual acuity and quality of life. The aim of our study was to evaluate patients' maximum acceptable waiting time (MAWT).


METHODS
A total of 300 consecutive cataract patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire. The main question addressed the patient's MAWT to undergo cataract surgery. Patients' visual impairment (VF-14 score), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), education, profession, and social status were evaluated.


RESULTS
The mean MAWT was 3.25+/-2.3 months. A significant correlation between VF-14 score and MAWT (r=0.241, p=0.001) and between MAWT and BCVA (r=0.187, p=0.01) was found. Well-educated patients (4.30+/-2.53 months, p=0.004) and patients living with a partner (3.62+/-2.41 months, p= 0.031) were more likely to tolerate longer MAWT. Patients living alone (2.94+/-2.21 months, p= 0.107) and patients who had to take care of a nursing case (2.83+/-1.90 months, p=0.589) tended to shorter MAWT.


CONCLUSIONS
MAWT is dependent on subjective visual impairment and objective BCVA. Availability of social services was also a strong predictor from the patients' perspective.
Weingessel
B
B
Abt. für Augenheilkunde und Optometrie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Osterreich.
Vécsei-Marlovits
P V
PV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014850:Waiting Lists; D055815:Young Adult