ASSESSMENT OF THE POSTOPERATIVE AMETROPIA DESIRED BY PATIENTS AS AN OUTCOME OF CATARACT-SURGERY

Goal The purpose of this study is to assess the degree of desirable am etropia in cataract surgery. Material and methods A scale for evaluati on was created. It allows to measure the desired distance for a neat u ncorrected vision (desired ametropia) after cataract surgery that pres byopic patients (monocular vision) would like to obtain. This scale he lps to calculate the power of the intraocular lens to be implanted. Th e scale was shown to a series of 50 consecutive presbyopic patients. R efraction was the same in both eyes. The interest of patients in the e valuation of their desirable ametropia was measured on a scale from 0 to 5. Results Interest was good for 50% of patients (grade greater tha n or equal to 3). Mean distance desired by patients for a neat uncorre cted vision was 1 meter. Preoperative myopia and hyperopia have no sig nificative influence upon the distance desired for a neat uncorrected vision. Conclusion The choice of the power of the lens implanted durin g cataract surgery should take into account the patients' desires. An evaluation of the postoperative desirable ametropia should be systemat ic.