AIM: To evaluate the postoperative quality of life in age-related cataract patients and to analyze influencing factors in Hezheng county of Gansu Province.

METHODS: Totally 195 cases of diagnosed age-related cataract patients who have voluntarily received SIECCE+IOL cataract surgeries were recruited in this study by cluster random sampling. Quality of life before and half year after the surgeries were studied by eye health related QOL scale developed and modified by referring to the questionnaires from National Institute of Research of the United States and India Aravind Eye Hospital.

RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-three questionnaires are valid for the study(99.0%). Half of total score of each dimension is defined as an average level of quality of life. The scores of study patients are all lower comparing to average level from perspective of physical function, independence/self-care function, social role and social function, psychological health. And the scores of all the dimensions of quality of life of postoperative patients are lower than those before surgeries(all P<0.001). Increased binocular best corrected visual acuity after surgery and visual impairment time influences significantly on the quality of life of patients after cataract surgery.

CONCLUSION: Surgical intervention can significantly improve the quality of life in age related cataract patients. Visual impairment time before surgery and the increased binocular best corrected visual acuity after surgery are the main influencing factors of postoperative quality of life in age related cataract patients.