Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the influence of cataract surgery on the mental status of patients with depression and cognitive impairment.
Methods: :
The 25–item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI–VFQ25), Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) are the measures designed to assess vision related quality of life (QOL), cognitive impairment, and depression. These tests were recorded before and 2 months after surgery in 65 patients undergoing phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation for bilateral cataract (75.2±7.8 years, range 55 to 93 years).
Results: :
Cataract surgery significantly improved VFQ25 and MMSE scores (p<0.001, paired t–test). The changes in VFQ–25 scores showed significant negative correlation with changes in BDI scores (Pearson r = –0.330; p<.01), and change in MMSE and BDI scores showed significant negative correlation (Pearson r = –0.441; p<.001). Cognitive impairment did not improve in those who showed no improvement in depression.
Conclusions: :
Cognitive impairment improved in patients who showed significant improvement of depression by cataract surgery. These results indicate that cataract surgery improves vision–related depressive pseudo–dementia.
Keywords: treatment outcomes of cataract surgery • quality of life • aging: visual performance