Measuring the quality of vision after cataract surgery

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to report some of the latest advances in visual acuity measurements and to review key articles on quality of visual after cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

Recent findings: Different quality of life instruments were used in the most recent studies and showed improvements in subjective quality of vision after cataract surgery with or without ocular comorbidities and independent of the type of IOL implanted. The use of multifocal IOLs improved near vision without any adverse effect on distance acuity. Contrast sensitivity was lower in patients with multifocal IOLs. Femtosecond laser cataract surgery increased predictability of the steps involved in cataract surgery but has a definite learning curve associated with an initial high rate of complications. Toric IOLs showed significant improvement in uncorrected distant visual acuity with low amount of decentration and wavefront error. Incorporating the testing of visual acuity in real-life scenarios that patients encounter routinely using automated instruments promises to transform visual assessment in a rapid manner that can be integrated into clinical practice.

Summary: Visual outcomes of cataract surgery with IOL implantation generally yield highly satisfactory results. Newer cataract surgery technology has emerged in an era wherein patients are demanding excellent visual results. Changes in the way we normally assess routine visual acuities should be implemented. We have introduced testing of visual acuity in timed, real-life scenarios that patients encounter daily, in an automated instrument, which may help us better document patient's complaints and surgical outcomes.