Articles about Eye Health and Disease 2003
 

Cataract surgery in patients with age-related macular degeneration: One-year outcomes

(From Ana Maria Armbrecht, DO, et al., J Cataract Refract Surg 2003; 29:686–693.)

The purpose of this study was determine whether patients with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) benefit from cataract surgery and to assess the risk of progression of preexisting maculopathy 4 and 12 months postoperatively. Two groups of patients were evaluated prospectively. The study group comprised patients with ARMD scheduled to have cataract surgery (n = 40). The control group comprised patients with ARMD not having cataract surgery (n = 43). Patients were assessed at baseline (preoperatively) and 4 and 12 months postoperatively. Assessment included visual function tests and quality of life measures.

Results: There were significant benefits of cataract surgery in terms of visual function and quality of life measures at 4 and 12 months. There was no increased risk of progression of macular degeneration in the study group. There were no significant differences in the items tested in the control group.

Conclusions: One year postoperatively, quality of life benefits were maintained in the study group and there was no increased risk of progression of maculopathy in patients with mild and moderate degrees of ARMD. Larger numbers of patients must be assessed prospectively for longer periods to determine the relative risk of progression of different stages of ARMD after cataract surgery.

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