Impact of cataract surgery on the quality of life of patients with advanced glaucoma

Abstract

Aim: To describe changes in the quality of life and visual performance of advanced glaucoma patients after lensectomy. Materials and methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients with advanced glaucoma requiring cataract surgery between March and September 2018 at the Glaucoma Service of Hospital Oftalmológico Santa Lucía. Advanced glaucoma was defined as present when there was a cup/disc ratio > 0.8, visual field damage within 10 degrees of central fixation or a temporal visual field remnant. Standard phacoemulsification surgery with intraocular lens implantation was performed. An adapted low-vision quality of life questionnaire was administered before surgery and one month postoperatively. Results: A total of 9 patients (6 women and 3 men) were included. The age range was 29 to 88 (mean: 71 years). Visual acuity improved in most cases and there was an improvement of sensitivity in mean deviation and model standard deviation, as well as in the areas of quality of life evaluated. Conclusion: Cataract surgery should be considered as an alternative in cases of advanced glaucoma and stable intraocular pressure, since a substantial benefit in the function and quality of life of patients has been observed.