Impact of a Printed Decision Aid on Cataract Surgery Choice

Impact of a Printed Decision Aid on Cataract Surgery Choice: A Multi-center Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of the study is to explore whether a decision aid booklet is more effective than the usual booklet for patients to make an informed choice on cataract surgery.

Shared decision making is increasingly recommended to facilitate quality care, but there is a lack of cataract surgery decision aid in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a cataract surgery decision aid for cataract patients with different levels of health literacy.

We will conduct a randomized controlled trial for cataract patients aged 50-80 years. We will randomly assign participants to either the intervention using a decision aid booklet or the one using a usual cataract booklet. The primary outcome is informed choice (defined as adequate knowledge and consistency between attitudes and intentions) 2 weeks after intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Definite diagnosis of age-related cataract;
2. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) is above 20/60;
3. Cataract opacity meets any of the following criterion based on lens opacity classification system (LOCS) III: nuclear color and nuclear opalescence is greater than or equal to grade 2 (NO2/NC2); cortical opacity is greater than or equal to grade 2 (C2); posterior subcapsular opacity is greater than or equal to grade 2 (P2);
4. Willing to know about cataract and cataract surgery;
5. Being able to afford cataract surgery;
6. Willing to participate in the study and provide the informed content.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Having received cataract surgery;
2. Having hearing disorders;
3. Having mental disorders;
4. Having ocular disorders other than cataract;
5. Having surgery contraindication;
6. Unwilling to participate in this study.