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Effectiveness of cataract surgery in reducing driving-related difficulties: a systematic review and meta-analysis

¹ British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit, Centre for Community Child Health Research, Child and Family Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
² Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Correspondence to:
Ms G Scime, British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit, L408-4480 Oak St., Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada; gscime{at}cw.bc.ca

Objectives: To assess the effects of cataract surgery in improving vision and driving performance while reducing driving-related difficulties.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources: Twelve electronic databases were searched from the date of inception of each database to May 2007. Other sources of potentially relevant information were also identified and examined.

Review methods: Eligible study designs included randomized controlled trials (RCT), non-RCT, quasi-experimental, case-control, controlled-before-and-after, and cohort studies that examined driving-related indicators in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Main outcome measures: The outcome measures included any type of driving-related indicator. A secondary outcome measure was motor vehicle (MV) crash involvement.

Results: Seven studies were included in the review and five in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled odds ratio (OR) was 0.12 (95% CI 0.10 to 0.16). Results suggest that the risk of driving-related difficulties was reduced by 88% following cataract surgery.

Conclusions: Cataract surgery is associated with an 88% reduction in the risk of driving-related difficulties. This supports the efficacy of cataract surgery to improve driving in older people, as well as positive implications for a reduction in MV crashes, overall traffic safety, and individual well-being.