Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Patient's satisfaction for a given treatment is an important clinical outcome because a
satisfied patient is more likely to comply with treatments, attend follow-ups and advocate the service to
others. Therefore, knowing patients’ expectations before a planned procedure or treatment and the
actual level of satisfaction and fulfillment of their initial expectations thereafter is much helpful. As far
as the knowledge and experience of the researchers is concerned, there has not been any study conducted
in Ethiopia to find out about patients’ preoperative expectations and postoperative level of satisfaction
for actual outcomes. This study was therefore, conducted to describe and find out the relationship
between preoperative expectations of cataract patients and the actual postoperative experience and their
satisfaction level following the surgery at ophthalmology department in Jimma University Specialized
Hospital.
METHODS: A prospective cohort study of patients undergoing first eye cataract surgery was conducted
from July 10 to Oct 10, 2007 in the Ophthalmology department of Jimma University Specialized
Hospital. Detailed interviews that included general and vision specific health status measures and
patients’ preoperative expectations for cataract surgery outcomes were performed followed by visual
acuity testing. Postoperatively, visual acuity testing was taken again and patients’ level of satisfaction
with attained postoperative vision was assessed. Data were collected and filled in a separate
questionnaire form for each patient, and entered into a computer and analyzed using SPSS for Windows
version 12.0.
RESULTS: Of the 200 patients operated for cataract, 179 (89.5%) were followed for the whole five
weeks. The average expected preoperative Visual Function-15 score was 96.3, compared to an achieved
(postoperative) Visual Function-15 score of just 96.2. However, the most unrealistic expectations
observed were reading small prints and doing fine handiwork. The final pinhole visual acuity
postoperatively was > 6/18 in 126 (70.4%) patients. Of the 78 (39%) patients who were bilaterally blind
preoperatively, 5 (2.5%) patients remained blind postoperatively.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvements were obtained in clinical, functional, and perceived vision
by cataract surgery involving extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens
implantations. Expectations regarding visual functioning after cataract surgery were very high, and in
most cases they were fulfilled.
