Use of vision tests in clinical decision making about cataract surgery: results of a national survey

Aim-To provide information on the use of vision tests in clinical decision making about cataract surgery in the UK. Method-A questionnaire survey was mailed to 703 consultant ophthalmologists. Results-A response rate of 70% was obtained. Monocular distance visual acuity was the only visual function that was tested routinely by all surgeons. Supplementary use of contrast sensitivity and glare testing was low. Many surgeons (35%) were willing to consider surgery at acuity levels better than 6/9 and a small but substantial number (12%) indicated that they did not use an acuity criterion. Being prepared to consider surgery at relatively good levels of acuity was not associated with more common use of other tests of vision. Conclusion-Many UK surgeons are prepared to consider cataract extraction at relatively good levels of visual acuity and use other vision tests infrequently.