Vision Restoration Enhances Appearance-Related Self-Care In Elderly Women After Cataract Surgery: A Prospective Questionnaire Study

Cataract surgery is known to improve visual function and quality of life in older adults. However, its impact on appearance-related self-care behaviors has rarely been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate changes in grooming behaviors and appearance awareness in elderly women undergoing cataract surgery.

Depertment of Ophthalmology, Tokushukai Medical Corporation Shonan Oiso Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.

This prospective single-center study enrolled women aged ≥65 years who underwent cataract surgery. Assessments were performed preoperatively and at 1 month postoperatively. Self-reported outcomes included motivation to dress up, desire to maintain neat appearance, perceived limitations in grooming, social motivation related to appearance, loneliness, and monthly frequency of social or cosmetic activities. These variables were evaluated using 5-point Likert scales and count-based questions. Clinician-observed appearance was evaluated using a standardized five-item checklist assessing hair grooming, makeup, clothing neatness, accessory use, and nail care (total score range 0–5). 

A total of 86 patients with paired pre- and postoperative data were analyzed. Patient-reported grooming scores significantly improved from 4.19 ± 0.76 preoperatively to 4.42 ± 0.76 postoperatively (p = 0.007). Outdoor activity scores increased from 3.19 ± 1.06 to 3.62 ± 1.10, and beauty-related behavior scores improved from 0.67 ± 0.83 to 0.93 ± 1.15 (p = 0.002 and p = 0.004, respectively). Multivariable analysis showed a significant negative association between improvement in grooming scores and target refractive power (coefficient = −0.191, robust SE = 0.061, p = 0.002), indicating greater improvement with more myopic targets.

Cataract surgery was associated with significant improvements in objectively observed appearance-related self-care behaviors among elderly women. Behavioral changes were more pronounced than changes in subjective motivation, suggesting that restoration of visual function may facilitate grooming behaviors independently of conscious intention. These findings highlight a previously underrecognized psychosocial benefit of cataract surgery and suggest that vision restoration may promote self-care and social engagement in older adults.