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No long-term differences found in immediate vs. delayed sequential bilateral cataract surgery
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No significant differences were observed in surgical complications, visual acuity or long-term self-perceived visual function between patients who underwent immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery vs. delayed sequential bilateral cataract surgery, according to a study.
The multicenter randomized clinical trial analyzed 439 patients who underwent immediate surgery and 406 patients who underwent delayed surgery. At 30 days postop, incidence of intraoperative and postoperative surgical complications, corrected and uncorrected visual acuities, and self-perceived visual function were measured. Self-perceived visual function was measured again at 1 year after surgery.
No significant differences were found between the groups regarding intraoperative or postoperative complications or corrected or uncorrected distance visual acuity.
Patients who underwent immediate surgery reported better self-perceived changes in visual function at 1 month based on the VF-14 questionnaire compared with patients who underwent delayed surgery and answered the questionnaire after the first eye was treated. At the 1-year follow-up, after the second eye was treated in the delayed group, there was no difference.
“Patient preference plays an increasing role in decision making,” the study authors said. “Therefore, the faster rehabilitation of visual function achieved with [immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery] should be considered when offering patients a choice between the two approaches.”
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