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.