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Visual acuity, questionnaire best ways of determining clinically important changes after cataract surgery
Ophthalmology. 2009; 116(3): 418-424
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A visual acuity test and a visual function index questionnaire assisted in most accurately detecting important clinical results after cataract surgery.
The prospective, observational study compared visual acuity and two questionnaires examining health-related quality-of-life issues, the Visual Function 14 index (VF-14) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), in 4,356 consecutive patients.
In the study, visual acuity was measured by ophthalmologists before surgery and 6 weeks after surgery; patients took the questionnaires before surgery and 3 months after surgery.
"Positive mean changes in [visual acuity] (+0.47) and VF-14 results (+24.03) indicated significant improvements after cataract surgery that were not reflected in changes in SF-36 domains (from 1.86 to 5.62)," the study authors said. "Responsiveness parameters demonstrated large changes in [visual acuity] and VF-14 scores, but not in SF-36 domains."
After surgery, minimal clinically important differences were 0.41 for visual acuity and 15.57 for VF-14 results, and minimal detectable change was 10.81 for VF-14, the study authors said.