Visual functional outcomes of XXXX surgery in the United States, Canada, Denmark, and Spain: report of the International Cataract Surgery Outcomes Study.

@entity1 @entity227 @entity231
PURPOSE: To compare functional outcomes after @entity231 surgery performed at 4 sites in 4 countries that have been described as having significant differences in the organization of care and patterns of clinical practice. SETTING: Multicenter cohort study from the United States, Canada, Denmark, and Spain. METHODS: Clinical data and @entity1 interview data were collected preoperatively and 4 months postoperatively. Functional outcomes were assessed by the Visual Function Index (VF-14), a self-reported measure of visual function. Scores on the VF-14 range from 0 (maximum impairment) to 100 (no impairment). RESULTS: Unilateral surgery was performed in 1073 @entity1 . In this subgroup, the odds of achieving an optimal functional outcome (VF-14 score > or =95) were similar among sites after controlling for differences in case mix. Bilateral surgery was performed in 211 @entity1 . A postoperative visual acuity of 0.50 or better in both eyes was reported in 155 @entity1 . However, 37% of these @entity1 reported @entity227 (VF-14 score <95). CONCLUSIONS: A previously identified variation in treatment modalities among the 4 sites did not have a significant effect on the odds of achieving an optimal functional outcome. In addition to visual acuity measurements, the VF-14 index provides information on functional outcomes that is useful, especially in studies assessing the benefits of @entity231 surgery in a public health care setting.
