Dgr. Jayamanne et al., Correlation between early, measurable improvement in quality of life and speed of visual rehabilitation after phacoemulsification, J CAT REF S, 25(8), 1999, pp. 1135-1139
Purpose: To assess whether improvements in measurable health-related qualit
y-of-life (HR-QoL) functions parallel the rapid visual recovery after phaco
emulsification.
Setting: The Cataract Treatment Center, Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Sunderlan
d, England.
Methods: This study comprised 144 patients having first-eye phacoemulsifica
tion cataract extraction, They were assessed using a standard EuroQoL gener
ic (non-disease specific) multidimensional HR-QoL instrument to evaluate pr
eoperative and 1 month postoperative health profile measures in social, psy
chological, and general health aspects.
Results: Within 1 month of phacoemulsification, change in vis on was accomp
anied by significant changes in HR-QoL functions such as home activities, s
ocial activities, self-care, mobility, and psychological well-being.
Conclusion: The speed of visual rehabilitation after phacoemulsification wa
s paralleled by improvement across HR-QoL functions, resulting in the rapid
recovery of functional independence and health status. (C) 1999 ASCRS and
ESCRS.