Improvement In Visual Function And Quality Of Life Following A Blindness Prevention Surgery Program In A Rural Area Of Chongqing

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the changes in visualfunction (VF) and quality of life (QOL) among patients following ablindness prevention surgery program in a rural area of Chongqing.Methods The prospective study selected cataract patients via mobileeye screening camps. VF and QOL questionnaires were completed priorand3months after surgery. Cataract surgery with posterior chamberintraocular lens (IOL) implantation was performed on patients by ablindness prevention surgery group.Results Three hundred and thirty four patients were enrolled for thestudy with a mean age of70.45±9.78.The mean preoperative VF score was20.00±36.67and postoperatively it was70.00±30.00p value<0.001.Themean preoperative QOL score was68.06±44.44and postoperatively it was94.44±27.78. The change score of VF and QOL in severe blindness groupwere higher than that in vision impairment group,unilateral blindnessgroup (all P value＜0.05). No significant difference was found in change score of VF between four age groups（F=0.881，P=0.451）,but the changescore of QOL in61-70age group were lower than that in less than60yearsage group and the age group of81or greater(all P value＜0.05).Conclusion The VF and QOL score of cataract patients increasedsignificantly following surgery, suggesting that cataract surgery withposterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation collectively in ashort period is an effective method for improving the QOL of cataractpatients in rural areas, as observed in this Blindness Prevention SurgeryProgram in Chongqing. However, the patient follow-up is important andshould be conducted carefully.