Surgery of Cataract in Very Old People (85 Years and More)

Overview

Twenty-seven patients (17 women and 10 men), average age 85.6 years wereoperated at the out-patient department in the course of four months on accountof cataract.The oldest patient was 95 years old.In 16 patients only one eye wasoperated, in 11 patients both eyes were operated within one month. In all patientsa basic examination of the eyes was made before and after surgery,as well assubjective assessment of the general health status, and quality of life was testedby means of SF36 and VF14 in Czech versions. The results of the investigationproved that evaluation of visual functions by means of VF14 gives a better idea ofthe contribution of cataract surgery in very old people as regards improvementof their quaity of life than mere assessment of visual acuity. The test SF36 is lessuseful than VF14 for evaluation of better vision and subsequent eyesight- -condi-tioned quality of life of very old people after surgery of cataract. For completingquestionnaires very old people need as a rule the assistance of another person.Cataract surgery is one of the most frequent ophthalmological operations insubjects aged 85 years or more. The results of tests which evaluate subjectivelythe functional state of the organism, in particular the quality of visual functionsalong with objective ophthalmological examination and evaluation of the patient´shealth status can contribute in a significant way to the decision whether surgeryis to be recommended.

Key words:
SF36, VF14, cataract, indication for surgery, evaluation of surgery