Classification of floater patients Evaluation of a study database on the relationship between characteristics and impairment

Abstract

Subjective impairment of floater patients can only be partially quantified using ophthalmological test methods. In order to classify floater patients, patient-related characteristics associated with higher level of impairment should be identified. A data set of a prospective, multicenter single-arm primary study of 64 floater patients who underwent vitrectomy includes patient-related characteristics and information on subjective preoperative and postoperative (3 months after vitrectomy) impairment. Data on impairment were collected with a floater-specific questionnaire and condensed into self-rated impairment indices (SRI). Medians of the SRI were calculated for the manifestation of sociodemographic and ophthalmological parameters as well as for the classification of floaters on the study and second eye and tested for significance. Higher preoperative SRI were associated with professional activity, young age, reduced preoperative visual acuity, retinal alterations and higher refractive errors as well as floaters on the second eye. Higher postoperative SRI were found in combination with cataract and younger age. The SRI differences were only occasionally significant. Classification of floaters as documented by the surgeon and by SRI were significantly correlated only for patients without other visual comorbidities besides floaters. The primary study reported high preoperative subjective impairment and a significant decrease in SRI after vitrectomy for almost all patients. The current study showed that some individual patient-related characteristics tended to be associated with greater preoperative impairment and greater benefit from vitrectomy.