title: Preoperative prediction of postoperative visual acuity in patients with cataracts: a quantitative review.
abstract: Many tests of visual function have been proposed as means of preoperatively evaluating cataract patients' surgical outcomes. It is impractical to compare all of these tests simultaneously on the same group of patients. Quantitative reviews apply quantitative methods to comparisons across studies. We compared the results of 52 reports in which cataract patients' postoperative acuity was predicted by means of visually evoked potential, laser interferometry, or projection tests (potential acuity meters-pinhole). The results of each study were summarized in a 2 x 2 contingency table. Summary statistics were compared by means of analysis of variance and post hoc tests. Despite difficulties in metaanalysis, we found the visually evoked potential a better predictor with dense opacities. We recommend standardization in a quest for more precise predictions of postoperative visual acuity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506.
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Odom
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Weinstein
mesh_terms: D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D014792:Visual Acuity