Prediction of postoperative visual outcome in cataract subjects: A pre and postoperative study
- William Arthur Douthwaite (w.a.douthwaite{at}bradford.ac.uk),
- Marta Vianya-Estopa,
- David Elliott
- University of Bradford, United Kingdom
- University of Bradford, United Kingdom
- University of Bradford, United Kingdom
- Published Online First 23 November 2006
Abstract
Aim: Critical Flicker Frequency (CFF) and Optimal Reading Speed (ORS) were assessed for their ability to predict the potential vision in cataract patients with and without ocular co-morbidity.
Methods: The two novel tests were compared with two well established potential vision tests (PVTs), the Potential Acuity Meter (PAM) and the Laser Interferometer (LI). Measurements were made preoperatively in one eye of 88 subjects using the battery of four PVTs. Postoperative measurements were made with the CFF and ORS. The subjects studied were consecutive cases over a 12 month period that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria and agreed to participate in this study.
Results: The CFF was the PVT most resistant to the presence of cataract. Both the CFF and ORS give a similar predictive precision in the presence of cataract and ocular co-morbidity although the CFF appears more precise when the cataract is dense.
Conclusions: The PAM and LI showed a limited clinical capability to predict the postoperative VA particularly with dense opacities The CFF shows the most promise as a PVT, particularly with dense cataract. Further evaluation is required for both the CFF and the ORS.
