Interpersonal Communication in Eye Care: An Analysis of Potential Impacts on Cataract Surgery Candidates’ Expectations and Behaviors

Figures & data

Table 1 Sample Survey Items

I want to have cataract surgery.

I am afraid to have cataract surgery.

I wish I could have cataract surgery right away.

I will probably delay having cataract surgery for as long as possible.

If the doctor’s office gave me a pre-surgical prep kit and instructions on how to use it, I would use it as directed before having cataract surgery.

If the doctor’s office asked me to purchase a pre-surgical prep kit at the front desk and gave me instructions on how to use it, I would use it as directed before having cataract surgery.

If the doctor’s office told me to go to the pharmacy to buy a pre-surgical prep kit, I would obtain one and use it as directed before having cataract surgery.

If the doctor’s office gave me a brochure with directions about how to order a pre-surgical prep kit online at the manufacturer’s website, I would obtain the kit and use it as directed before having cataract surgery.

Table 2 Participant Demographics

Characteristic	n (%)
Age (range)	65–85
Sex %
Male	116 (41.9%)
Female	160 (57.8%)
Prefer not to answer	1 (0.4%)
Education %
Did not graduate	3 (1.1%)
High school	49 (17.6%)
Some college	86 (30.9%)
College graduate	90 (32.4)
Advanced degree	50 (18%)
Employment %
Employed	37 (13.4%)
Unemployed	14 (5.1%)
Financially supported	1 (0.4%)
Retired	224 (81.2%)
Medical insurance %
None	5 (1.8%)
Private/employer	46 (16.7%)
Medicare	219 (79.3%)
Medicaid	6 (2.2%)
Ethnicity %
Asian	3 (1.1%)
Black/African American	12 (4.3%)
Hispanic/Latinx	5 (1.8%)
Native American	4 (1.4%)
Pacific Islander	0
White	249 (89.6%)
Prefer to self-describe/not answer	5 (1.8%)

Table 3 Descriptive Statistics

	N	Scale	Mean	Standard Deviation	% Strongly Agree or Agree
I want to have cataract surgery	278	1–5	2.20	1.32	19.8%
I wish I could have cataract surgery right away	277	1–5	1.69	1.07	8.3%
I am afraid to have cataract surgery	278	1–5	2.72	1.36	30.2%
I will probably delay having cataract surgery for as long as possible	278	1–5	3.13	1.49	46.1%