OUTCOMES OF CATARACT-SURGERY IN NURSING-HOME RESIDENTS

A prospective study of vision-related outcomes of cataract surgery as well as cognitive functioning, activities of daily living (ADL) functi oning, and depressed affect was conducted with 19 nursing home residen ts scheduled for cataract surgery. Also studied were 22 candidates for cataract surgery who decided against it. Comparison of both groups at baseline revealed that residents who chose cataract surgery were less cognitively and ADL impaired. Analysis after cataract surgery showed that visual acuity improved significantly at 4 months and was maintain ed at 1 year after surgery.