Cataract in Old Age clinical trials

Evaluation of the Effect of Cataract Surgery on Cognitive Function in Very Elderly Patients

The study intends to measure the evolution over time of the cognitive capacity of patients undergoing cataract surgery in relation to the opaque lens removal surgery (cataract) in a population considered to be at risk of neurocognitive degeneration. Secondary objectives: • Estimate the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunctions and any episodes of perioperative delirium with the aim of demonstrating the safety of cataract surgery in the elderly patient in terms of cognitive functions and impact on the psychological state. In the context of the study a risk sub-population analysis will be carried out, evaluating the trend over time of the "endothelial cells count" parameter The elderly population remains, due to the aging of the cornea, a population "at risk" for significant alterations from the clinical point of view. During the study the endothelial cells count will be monitored, in order to be able to evaluate the safety of the cataract surgery and to be able to correctly correlate a possible deterioration in the visual acuity of patients with corneal decompensation. To evaluate the progress of the endothelial cells count in the elderly patient during the pre-intervention and post-intervention period. Since the low values of cellular media in endothelial microscopy are an element that increases the risk of complications during cataract surgery, the study wants to assess how waiting times between filter visits and cataract surgery can cause an elderly patient worsening of this parameter even in a few months. The trend of the same parameter will be monitored even after the intervention since in case of decrease, the low endothelial count could cause an alteration of visual acuity and therefore a minor improvement in cognitive performance. The research will be set as a longitudinal observational study where will be compared in each patient the parameters analyzed in the 6 months prior to cataract surgery and in the 3 months following the operation itself. Patients will be enrolled during the first cataract filter visit, will be submitted to simple questions and their clinical data will be collected. Subsequently, before and after three months of surgery repeated cognitive testing and the control normally performed instrumental tests during follow-up. A clinical follow-up will be provided, during normal follow-up visits at 20 days and 6 months after the patient's surgery: the following information will be collected during these visits - BCVA (visual acuity) - endothelial cells microscopy - OCT macula and optic nerve - Catquest 9SF; - Barthel Index; - Six Item Cognitive Test - Confusion Assessment Method (CAM): this exam will be performed within 24 hours of post-surgery and 20 days after surgery. It is important to underline that the cognitive tests proposed to patients consist of simple questions that do not depend on the visual ability of the subject.