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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109

Volume 5, Issue 3, 2013 pp 113-115

Research Article

To Assess the Impact of Cataract Surgery on Quality of Life of Individuals
Pradeep Sawardekar^1*, Sunita Thorat², Gopa Kothari³, Shyamal S. Kamble

{¹Sr. Programme officer, ²Coordinator, ³Mg. Director} Child Eye Care Charitable Trust, Mumbai, Maharashtra, INDIA.

Academic Editor : Dr. Aher K.R.

Dang is the smallest, poorest and Backward tribal District of Gujarat state in India. Aim: To understand the impact of cataract surgery, the study was conducted in two phases- pre and post operative phases. The study tools included predesigned questionnaire with subjects, family members and neighbours. Data with reference to employment, income, health, nutrition, dependence on family member including school going child, effect on education of children, social visit, mental status are collected before and after cataract surgery. Subjects and methods:    Patients were selected from 73 villages of Dang district. The patients were followed up within a week of operation, after 15 days and after 45 days. They were followed up after monthly intervals. A predesign interview questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was collected by personal interviews from patients, relatives and neighbors. Follow up was done by meeting them personally.  Results: 80% of patients were involved in outdoor work. Most of the patients were in LOWER socio-economic group. 72 % of individuals could not pursue their occupation due to cataract. 84% of individual had no income before surgery. After operation 18% of pts. were doing some type of work and started regular income. 12 % individuals could not perform activity of daily living due to generalized weakness. The mental status significantly improved after surgery for cataract. Social visits was lost in majority of patients pre-operatively which was significantly improved post-operatively. Dependency was present in majority of patients (76%) pre-operatively which was significantly improved post-operatively (10%). Vision of most of the patients was in the category of 6/30 - 6/48 pre-operatively which were significantly improved after cataract surgery as majority were in the category of 6/12 – 6/30. Conclusion: The study suggests that cataract surgery hampers the activity of daily living and has effect on the overall quality of life. Timely cataract surgery definitely improves the Activity of Daily Living and in turn Quality of Life.