The aim of this study was to investigate cataract surgery timing and change trend in patients of different ages.

This study was cross-sectional . 900 patients (900 eyes) who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in the Department of Ophthalmology, the Third Hospital of Peking University from January 2019 to April 2019 were collected. According to the age division of the World Health Organization, the patients were divided into three groups: 45 to 59 age group, 60 to 74 age group and 75 to 89 age group. 50 cases (50 eyes) were selected from each group by stratified sampling. Operating eyes were examined by international standard logarithmic visual acuity chart; lens opacity was graded according to Lens Opacities Classification System Ⅲ (LOCS Ⅲ); the subjective visual function was assessed by National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire(Chinese verson, NEI-VFQ-25). In Wanfang and CNKI database, literatures on the cataract surgery timing in patients of different ages since 2005 were retrieved. All the data were analyzed by R statistical software. One-way ANOVA was used to comparise differents among three groups and Tukey method was used to comparise differents between two groups.

The logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity of 45 to 59 age group was 0.6±0.3, 60 to 74 age group was 0.8±0.3, 75 to 89 age group was 0.8±0.4, the difference was statistically significant (F=8.373; P<0.05); the logMAR visual acuity of 45 to 59 age group was lower than that of 60 to 74 age group and 75 to 89 age group, the difference was statistically significant (DF=0.202, 0.260; P<0.05). The LOCS Ⅲ of nuclear turbidity in 45 to 59 age group was 2.4±0.5. In 60 to 74 age group, that was 2.7±1.0. In 75 to 89 age group, that was 3.4±0.9. The difference was statistically significant (F=14.870; P<0.05); the LOCS Ⅲ of nuclear turbidity in 45 to 59 age group and 60 to 74 age group was less than that of 75 to 89 age group, the difference was statistically significant (DF=0.920, 0.640; P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in overall health status score, short-range activity score, long-distance activity score, mental health score, social role limitation score, dependence score, driving score, color vision score and peripheral visual acuity score among three groups (F=21.580, 9.912, 5.069, 17.570, 10.440, 20.800, 3.749, 3.145, 9.292; P<0.05). The overall health status score, short-range activity score and peripheral visual acuity score of 45 to 59 age group were higher than those of 60 to 74 age group and 75 to 89 age group, with statistical significance (DF=-19.500, -22.000, -11.000, -14.916, -9.500, -14.500; P<0.05). The scores of long-distance activity, driving and color vision in 45 to 59 age group were higher than those in 75 to 89 age group, with statistical significance (DF=-11.750, 1.320, -6.500; P<0.05). The mental health score and social role limitation score of 45 to 59 age group and 60 to 74 age group were higher than those of 75 to 89 age group, with statistical significance (DF=-16.750, -11.000, -19.250, -19.000; P<0.05). There was significant difference between two groups in the dependence degree score (F=20.800, P<0.05), the older the age, the heavier the dependence degree. Compared with the studies from 2005 to 2015, the mean age of the patients in our study was younger, and the proportion of the patients aged 60 to 69 increased.

Cataract surgery timing was different from age to age. The cataract severity in the younger age group was lighter than that in the older age group, but the cataract surgery timing was relatively early, which has shown a forward trend compared with previous investigations. This was related to the high requirement for vision in the younger age group and the limitation of physical conditions in the older age group.