Objective: A prospective study was performed to analyze the visual outcome and factors related to the visual outcome in cataract patients with extreme myopia, in order to provide a principle for intraocular lens (IOL) diopter chosen.
Methods: 43 cases were included in the present series (myopia over 10.00 D, axial length over 27.00 mm, with clear cornea and slight or moderate opacity of the lens). Distance and near visual acuity (NVA), best corrected visual acuity and the fundus were examined before and after the phacoemulsification and implantation of IOL. chi(2) test and stepwise regression analysis were used to identify the predictive factors.
Results: (1) Distance visual acuity, NVA and best corrected visual acuity were markedly improved in most cases. (2) NVA and fundus pathologic changes were two important factors for predicting post-operative visual acuity. (3) The prognosis was better in cases with NVA better than 20/200, and in cases with axial length below 29.00 mm. (4) Some cases with postoperative NVA worse than 20/80 complained of difficulty in reading.
Conclusions: NVA is an important factor influencing the outcome of vision and is an important parameter for predicting the outcome of vision in cataract patients with extreme myopia. IOL diopter should be determined carefully by preoperative NVA and the patients' demand for near work.