Is cataract surgery justified in patients with age related macular degeneration? A visual function and quality of life assessment

Aims-To determine whether patients with age related macular degeneration (A RMD) benefit from cataract surgery in terms of visual function and quality of life measures, and to assess the impact of surgery on the progression of ARMD. Methods-A prospective study was carried out of patients with and without AR MD undergoing cataract surgery. Data were collected from 187 patients at th e Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh and the Oxford Eye Hospital, O xford. The patients were divided into three groups: (1) a control group wit h ARMD and no surgery (n-41), (2) a study group of patients with ARMD who u nderwent cataract surgery (n=90), and (3) a second control group of patient s without ocular comorbidities who underwent cataract surgery (n=56). Visua l function and quality of life assessments were carried out at baseline and 3-5 months after baseline or surgery. Results-There were significant improvements both in terms of quality of lif e and visual function measures in the study group. Benefits were greater in patients with moderate cataract irrespective of the degree of ARMD. No inc reased incidence in progression to the ("wet") form of ARMD was found. Impr ovements in quality of life measures and visual function were more pronounc ed in patients with no ocular comorbidities. Conclusions-Patients with mild and moderate degrees of ARMD do benefit from cataract surgery and the benefits are greater in patients with moderate de grees of lens opacity. Longer follow up is required to assess the risk of i ncreased ARMD progression.