A Decision Aid for Patients With Age-related Cataract

Patient-centered and Economic Effectiveness of a Decision Aid for Patients With Age-related Cataract: a Randomized Controlled Trial

To determine whether a decision aid increases informed decision about cataract surgery for patients with age-related cataract.

The need for cataract surgery is on the rise globally due to the aging population and high demands for greater visual functioning. Patients with age-related cataract face their initial decision about when to undergo cataract surgery. Although the majority of patients want to participate in a shared decision-making process, no decision aid has been available to improve the quality of decision. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a decision aid increases informed decision about cataract surgery for patients with age-related cataract.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals aged 50-80 years who have been resident in the selected study district for more than six months;
2. A definite diagnosis of age-related cataract;
3. Having not received cataract surgery;
4. Willing to participate in the study and provide informed content.

Exclusion criteria

1. Bilateral blindness (presenting distance visual acuity worse than 3/60);
2. Having ocular, hearing or mental disorder precluding reading or telephone interview;
3. Ocular disorders other than cataract leading to permanent vision loss that could not be corrected through cataract surgery;
4. Having cataract surgery contraindication.