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Increasing age affects cataract surgery outcomes in elderly patients

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While the safety and effectiveness of cataract surgery are generally well-established, the benefits and risks of cataract surgery in very elderly patients are not as clear-cut, writes Tien Yin Wong, an associate professor in the department of ophthalmology at the University of Singapore. Prof. Wong's paper, "Effect of increasing age on cataract surgery outcomes in very elderly patients," notes that in these patients, especially those with concomitant cardiovascular diseases, a cautious approach is advised because of higher risks of systemic complications during surgery. A higher prevalence of existing ocular diseases — for example, age-related macular degeneration — may affect cataract surgery outcomes in elderly patients.

Further, independent of existing ocular diseases, increasing age itself is associated with poorer cataract surgery outcomes.

For the complete study, go to www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/322/7294/1104.