Investigation of changes in socio‐demographic and clinical factors related to quality of life in patients undergoing phacoemulsification

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Aims/Purpose: This study investigates and evaluates the socio‐demographic and clinical factors related to health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients who underwent cataract surgery, using phacoemulsification.Methods: A prospective cohort study, was carried out at the General Hospital ‘Korgialenio‐ Benakio’, from December 2020 to February 2021. In total, 82 patients were recruited, 48 men and 34 women and their age ranged between 40 and 89 years old. Demographic data and full medical history were recorded for every patient. In addition, their everyday habits and way of life were reported. Best‐corrected visual acuity was measured before and after the operation. All operations were performed by the same surgeon without any reported complications during or after the operation. All patients filled out three HRQoL questionnaires (EQ‐5D, SF‐36 and VFQ‐25), before the operation and 1 month after surgery. The results pre‐ and post‐operatively were collected and the important socio‐demographic and clinical factors were evaluated using the relevant HRQoL questionnaire utility scale.Results: Visual acuity improved in all patients following the operation. There was a statistically significant improvement in the general health of the sample (p < 0.01), recorded across all questionnaires (EQ‐5D, SF‐36 and VFQ‐25). A similar improvement was revealed in responses related to mental well‐being (p < 0.01). Factors affecting HRQoL scales of cataract surgery candidates were found to be age, marital status, educational level, metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, mobility issues, mental well‐being and almost all factors related to ophthalmic disorders.Conclusions: The improved visual acuity achieved by cataract surgery using phacoemulsification leads to significant improvement in post‐operative HRQoL of patients. The findings regarding the important factors related to these HRQoL improvements should be evaluated by physicians before considering any surgical intervention.