OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of Nd:YAG (neodymium: yttrium-aluminum- garnet) laser unilateral posterior capsulotomy on visual acuity and patients' perception of difficulties with vision-related activities of daily life. METHODS: We conducted an interventional survey that included 48 patients between 40 and 80 years of age with uni- or bilateral pseudophakia, posterior capsule opacification, and visual acuity <0.30 (logMAR) in one eye who were seen at a Brazilian university hospital. All patients underwent posterior capsulotomy using an Nd:YAG laser. Before and after the intervention, patients were asked to complete a questionnaire that was developed in an exploratory study. RESULTS: Before posterior capsulotomy, the median visual acuity (logMAR) of the included patients was 0.52 (range 0.30-1.60). After posterior capsulotomy, the median visual acuity of the included patients improved to 0.10 (range 0.0-0.52). According to the subjects' perceptions, their ability to perform most of their daily life activities improved after the intervention (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: After patients underwent posterior capsulotomy with an Nd:YAG laser, a significant improvement in the visual acuity of the treated eye was observed. Additionally, subjects felt that they experienced less difficulty performing most of their vision-dependent activities of daily living.

OBJETIVO: Identificar percepções de adultos portadores de catarata em relação à doença e ao tratamento cirúrgico. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória entre pacientes adultos portadores de catarata presentes em mutirão em hospital universitário no ano de 2004. Auxiliares de pesquisa previamente treinados para formulação das questões e registros das respostas, encarregaram-se das entrevistas. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi composta por 170 sujeitos de ambos os sexos (43,5% do sexo masculino e 56,5% do sexo feminino) com idade entre 40 e 88 anos. Dos 170 participantes, 43,5% eram nascidos no estado de São Paulo, 14,7% na Bahia, 12,4% em Minas Gerais, 1,8% nasceram em outros paises e os demais sujeitos, em outros estados brasileiros.Da população ativa no mercado de trabalho (n=87), encontravam-se em nível de ocupação manual não especializada 43,7%; ocupação manual especializada 27,6%; ocupação de rotina não manual 25,3%; supervisão de trabalho manual 1,1%; posição baixa de supervisão ou inspeção , considerando ocupações não manuais,2,3 %. Entre a população inativa no mercado de trabalho (n=82), 53,6% eram aposentados, 45,2% donas de casa e 1,2% desempregados. Em relação a concepção sobre catarata, 79,0% referiram ser uma "pelezinha que vai cobrindo os olhos" e 32,4% além da "pelezinha", mencionaram outras concepções. Em relação a causa , entre as opções fornecidas, 80% relacionam a velhice; 47,1% "por usar muito as vistas no serviço ou em casa"; 7,1% acreditam que tem catarata devido a "mau olhado". Dentre as respostas associadas, 94,1% referiram que a "visão fica embaçada" na pessoa que tem catarata, 72,4% acham que a pessoa pode ficar cega e 66,5% acham que os portadores de catarata ficam com depressão por não enxergarem. Vinte e oito por cento tem medo de se submeter a cirurgia, desses, 16,3% atribuem ao fato de poderem morrer na cirurgia; 55,1% acham que podem ficar cego; 40,8% crêem que a cirurgia dói e 8,2% tem medo de operar pois a religião não permite. CONCLUSÃO: Foram evidenciados alguns conhecimentos incorretos, o medo de ficar cego se fez presente entre as razões para não operar a catarata, indicando necessidade de provimento de orientação.

OBJECTIVE: To identify in adult patients suffering from cataract the perceptions regarding the disease and its surgical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An exploratory survey was conducted among adult patients suffering from cataract and participating in a large-scale cataract management program at the University of São Paulo General Hospital in 2004. The interviews were conducted by research assistants previously trained to pose questions and record answers. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 170 men and women (43.5% and 56.5%, respectively), aged between 40 and 88 years. Of the 170 participants, 43.5% were from the State of São Paulo, 14.7% from the State of Bahia, 12.4% from the State of Minas Gerais, 5.9% from the State of Pernambuco, 1.8% from other countries, and the remaining 21.7% were from other Brazilian states. Of those who were actively working (n = 87), 43.7% had an occupational level corresponding to nonspecialized manual labor, 27.6% were in specialized manual labor jobs, 25.3% had routine nonmanual occupations, 1.1% supervised manual labor, and 2.3% had low-ranking supervision or inspection jobs over nonmanual occupations. Of those who were not actively working (n = 82), 53.6% were retired, 45.2% were housewives, and 1.2% were unemployed. Concerning conceptions about cataract, 79.0% referred to it as "a small skin fold that gradually covers the eye" and 32.4% mentioned, in addition, other conceptions. Concerning the cause, of the alternatives presented to them, 80% reported aging, 47.1% blamed "overusing the eyes in the workplace or at home", 7.1% believed they had cataract due to some kind of "spell." Of the associated answers, 94.1% referred to "blurred vision" in people suffering from cataract, 72.4% thought the person may become blind, and 66.5% believed that the patients suffering from cataract are depressed because they cannot see. Regarding surgery, 28.8% were afraid of undergoing surgery; of those, 16.3% cited with the fear of dying during surgery, 55.1% thought they might become blind, 40.8% believed the surgery would be painful, and 8.2% followed religious practices that do not permit surgery. CONCLUSION: Some misconceptions were identified, and the fear of blindness was the most mentioned reason for not seeking cataract surgery, which indicates the need for orientation.