Objective      To study the visual function (VF) and quality of life (QOL) of the patients with early-middle stage of cataract by using VF and QOL questionnaires

and to analyze the operation indications of the early-middle stage of cataract [visual acuity (VA)≥0.5].       Methods      VF and QOL questionnaires were carried out in 161 patients with early-middle stage of cataract (presenting VA≥0.3). All the patients were divided into 3 groups: 1st group (VA 0.3-0.4) including 102 patients

2nd group (willing to receive operation and VA≥0.5) including 21 patients

and 3rd group (unwilling to receive operation and VA≥0.5) including 38 patients. The 95% percentiles of the VF and QOL scores of the 1st group were regarded as the operation indications of early-middle stage of cataract. The scores of the other two groups were used to verify and screen out the operation indications.       Results      The VF and QOL scores of all the 161 patients were significantly correlated with the presenting VA (r=0.61 and 0.45

P0.01). The 95% percentiles of the VF and QOL scores were 73.3 and 94.4

respectively

in the 1st group. Operation could be given to 25 patients (VA≥0.5) according to the VF reference and to 43 patients (VA≥0.5) according to the QOL reference. Compared with the rate of actual operation requirement

the theoretical operation rate according to the QOL score had statistically significant difference (P0.05)

but that according to the VF score had not (P0.05).       Conclusion      The scores of VF and QOL of the early-middle stage of cataract are significantly correlated with the presenting visual acuity. The VF questionnaire may be used as an operation indication for early-middle stage of cataract.