Cataract is the clouding of the natural lens of the eye and is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. The only treatment for cataracts is the removal and replacement of the cloudy lens through surgery.
Since 2016, Sheba Medical Center has been systematically collecting data from patients who underwent cataract surgery at the hospital. Patients were asked to complete two questionnaires, one before the surgery and one after. The first is the Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), a questionnaire that provides general insights into physical and mental functioning. The second, CATQUEST-9SF questionnaire, provides information about the visual quality and functionality of the patient’s eyesight.
The data is statistically processed using the MCID (Minimal Clinically Important Difference) method, which identifies the smallest quantitative change that could be considered clinically significant.
Presented here are the results of the visual state as assessed by the CATQUEST-9SF questionnaire that was conducted 1-3 months after surgery. This time frame gives enough time to observe the full process of the surgery and to discover the final outcome. It is important to note that many patients may suffer from additional underlying eye conditions that could limit visual potential. Therefore, despite a technically successful surgery, patients may not experience improved vision due to other issues in the operated eye.
