The impact of visual deficit on the geriatric status of patients with cataracts

Abstract

Objective. To study the prevalence of geriatric syndromes in patients with nuclear cataracts (NC) depending on uncorrected visual acuity. Materials and methods. The study involved 660 patients, divided into 3 groups: 1st (n=220) – patients with NC aged 60–74 years; 2nd (n=240) – patients with NC aged 75–89 years; 3rd (n=200) – patients aged 75–89 years without NC. The presence of geriatric syndromes was studied using a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Results. It was found that deterioration in visual acuity <0.3 without correction is accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of most geriatric syndromes in groups 1 and 2, especially in group 2: hypomobility syndrome - up to 91.7±2.4 cases per 100 examined, cognitive impairment – up to 87.2±2.9 cases, malnutrition – up to 88.3±3.2 cases, psychological problems – up to 80.9±3.8 cases. Moreover, these indicators in group 2 in patients with visual acuity <0.3 without correction were 2.0–2.4 times higher compared to patients with visual acuity >0.3 without correction. In group 2, a decrease in visual acuity <0.3 without correction contributed to an increase in the prevalence and average number of geriatric syndromes in comparison with patients with visual acuity >0.3 without correction: 8.2±1.0 and 3.9±0.8 syndromes per 1 patient, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion. The revealed dependence of the prevalence of geriatric syndromes on visual acuity indicates the need for its timely correction.