Predictions of postoperative visual outcome in subjects with cataract: a preoperative and postoperative study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the ability of critical flicker frequency (CFF) and optimal reading speed (ORS) to predict the potential vision in patients with cataract with and without ocular comorbidity.


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 1 eye of 88 subjects using the battery of 4 PVTs. Postoperative measurements were made with the CFF and the ORS. The subjects studied were consecutive cases over a 12-month period who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and agreed to participate in this study.


RESULTS
CFF was the PVT most resistant to the presence of cataract. Both CFF and ORS give a similar predictive precision in the presence of cataract and ocular comorbidity, although CFF seems more precise when the cataract is dense.


CONCLUSIONS
The PAM and the LI showed a limited clinical capability in predicting postoperative visual acuity, particularly with dense opacities. The CFF shows the most promise as a PVT, particularly with dense cataract. Further evaluation is required for both CFF and ORS.
Douthwaite
William A
WA
Department of Optometry, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP, UK. w.a.douthwaite@bradford.ac.uk
Vianya-Estopà
Marta
M
Elliott
David B
DB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005260:Female; D005425:Flicker Fusion / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011932:Reading; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology