Doctors' comments on the Retinal Acuity Meter (formerly the Illuminated Near Card or INC)
None of the Doctors have a financial interest in the RAM® or AMA Optics, Inc.
Harvey Minatoya, MD,
Minatoya Eye Clinic, Inc., Hawaii.
"When the OCT shows wrinkles, I use the RAM to measure function and determine the significance of these abnormalities on vision. Even when the OCT is normal, I ensure the retinal function is good with the RAM prior to surgery. I have not found the RAM to overestimate or underestimate to a noticeable degree. The RAM gives me peace of mind."
David Boyer, MD, Clinical Professor Ophthalmology, USC/Keck School of Medicine, Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group, Beverly Hills, CA.
"I find the RAM test an extremely useful tool in helping determine the visual potential in patients with cataract and other concomitant retinal pathologies such as Dry AMD or epiretinal membranes. A poor response on the RAM usually correlates with a poorer visual result with cataract extraction. I also use RAM testing in patients with decreased vision of unknown etiology to quickly rule out a refractive cause of the visual decrease."
Michael Breen, OD, Vice President of Crystalens Professional Development, Aliso Viejo, CA
"In our research, we understand the importance of accurately assessing potential
postoperative visual acuity through retinal acuity testing. We found the Retinal
Acuity Meter to be very helpful in quantifying the status of functional acuity
and potential vision".
Craig McCabe, MD,
McCabe Vision Center. Murfreesboro, TN
Preoperatively, I use the Retinal Acuity Meter test to reliably measure potential vision during the evaluation of cataract patients. Postoperatively, I employ the RAM to evaluate macular pathology or unexplained poor vision. As an important measure isolating foveal function, the RAM test is an essential tool aiding my clinical judgment to provide better outcomes and patient care.
Bret L. Fisher, MD, Medical Director, Eye Center of North Florida, Panama City, FL.
"I have found the RAM to be an invaluable tool
in my practice. As a part of my normal cataract surgical workup, I use the RAM
as a measure of retinal function. This is especially important in assessing
patients for whom a premium IOL is contemplated. The RAM has been much more
useful in my practice than the PAM, which lacked accuracy, or even a macular
OCT, which could tell me about structure but not function of the retina. In
addition to helping accurately predict vision after cataract surgery, the RAM
can also be used postoperatively in patients whose vision is not as good as
expected."
Lorne D. Kapner, MD,
North
County Eye Center, Escondido, CA.
"In two days of clinical
use the RAM has turned into one of those "How did I ever practice
without it" type of devices. It gives me greater confidence in
predicting surgical outcomes."
Joseph Parisi, MD, Medical Director, Clemson Eye, Clemson, SC.
"The RAM has helped me in my evaluation of candidates for presbyopia-correcting IOLs following cataract surgery." “RAM is important in selecting Alcon's ReSTOR lens candidates.” See: 6 part series in Refractive Eye Care
Jay S. Pepose, PHD, MD, Director of the Pepose Vision Institute & Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Washington Univ., St. Louis, Missouri., See: Cataract & Refractive Surgery , See "Mastering Refractive IOLs, The Art and Science" by David F. Chang, MD,
"Undetected dysfunction of the macula or optic nerve can be avoided in many cases through the use of diagnostic devices such as the AMA Optics Retinal Acuity Meter."
Harris Silverman, MD, Cataract Surgeon, Bradenton, FL., See: Ophthalmology Timeshttp://www.theeyeassociates.com/html/doctors.html#silverman
“I never perform cataract surgery
without first assessing macular function with the RAM®. I always want to discuss
with my patients what they are
seeing and their potential post-operative vision. Every single cataract
surgery evaluation I schedule includes a determination of macular function
with the RAM®.”
Steven Kane, PHD, MD, Pediatric Neuro-ophthalmologisty, Columbia University, New York, NY., See: Ocular Surgery News
"The RAM® can be a quick and easy alternative to expensive and more time consuming procedures when evaluating unexpected vision loss."
Michael J. Weiss, PHD, MD, Vitreo-retinal Surgeon, Columbia University, New York, N.Y., See: Ophthalmology Times
"I find the Retinal Acuity Meter (RAM®) is the best way to assess macular function in eyes with co-morbid disease. With this instrument I am able to determine what part of the vision loss is due to the cloudy media and what part is due to macular dysfunction."
Peter Libre, MD, Glaucoma Specialist, Norwalk, CT., See: Ophthalmology Management
"I have used the RAM® device daily in my clinic since 2000. It is indispensable for rapidly determining potential acuity. I use it before advising cataract surgery or laser capsulotomy (especially in the setting of severe glaucoma, AMD or epiretinal membrane), and to assess CME (cystoid macular edema) associated with uncertain refraction or media opacity. I believe the RAM® can help almost every ophthalmologist save time and improve outcomes."
George Howard, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, New York, NY.
"The Retinal Acuity Meter combines familiar principles into a fast and easy system that accurately measures retinal acuity. The RAM has been a breakthrough for me in pre-operative screening of patients with cataract plus other causes of vision loss."
Bruce A. Segal, MD, Cornea and Cataract Specialist, Delray Beach, FL.
"I have been using the RAM for 4 months now and am extremely impressed with this device. I use it every day unlike my PAM that sits on the shelf. The RAM test is quick, accurate, and I am confident of the predicted vision prior to cataract surgery."
Matthew Paul, MD, Danbury Eye Physicians, Danbury, CT.
"We have been using the RAM for several
years and have found it to be a consistent and reliable measure of
post-operative vision in patients undergoing cataract surgery with retinal
disease. We are impressed with its relative ease of use, and we find it
well accepted and understood by our patients."
Robert Bourke,
MD, Vision
Retinal Institute of the Gold Coast, Australia
”I am using the RAM
for the post macular hole patients and it gives the patients a good degree of
reassurance. This is a much better era for macular hole patients. The OCT also
demonstrates to the patient that their macular hole is sealed even whilst their
cataract may be progressing and blurring their vision. The RAM is another nice
instrument to help and it is also useful with patients who have macular
degeneration and cataracts.”