Factors Affecting Clinical Outcome of 1107 Phaco-surgeries: Postoperative One Day, One Week and Two Months

Purpose: To determine which factors might affect the outcome of cataract surgery with respect to time after surgery. Methods: Clinical records of 1,107 eyes who underwent phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation by one surgeon were reviewed. Patient characteristics, intraoperative problems, and postoperative complications were evaluated as potential factors affecting the outcome. Visual outcome was determined by best-corrected Snellen visual acuity one day, one week, and two months after surgery. Results: Macular degeneration was independently associated with visual outcome thoroughout the two-month follow-up period. Old age, uveitis, prior vitrectomy, diabetes mellitus, and posterior capsule rupture were significantly associated with poorer outcome at one day or one week after surgery, but not related to the outcome at two months. Conclusions: Macular degeneration was identified as an only predictor of visual outcome after cataract surgery. Factors other than macular degeneration did not affect the outcome two months after surgery.