Vitreous Society Meeting 1996
ILLUMINATED NEAR CARD ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL ACUITY IN MACULAR DISEASE
Michael J. Weiss and Albert J. Hofeldt
Purpose: To determine if a new device, the illuminated near card (INC) can assist clinicians in accurately predicting potential macular function in the presence of cataract or posterior capsular opacification (PCO).
Methods: Thirty eight patients requiring ND:YAG laser capsulotomy and 100 patients scheduled for cataract surgery were studied prospectively by comparing the post-operative distance Snellen acuity to the visual acuity obtained preoperatively using the INC viewed through a pinhole. In 55 consecutive eyes with visual acuity of 20/200 or better, clear media and macular disease, the visual acuity obtained with the INC was compared to the best distance Snellen acuity.
Results: In eyes with a pre-capsulotomy distance acuity better than 20/200 the INC with pinhole predicted post-operative distance acuity within one Snellen line in 97% of eyes. In eyes undergoing cataract surgery and preoperative vision better than 20/200 the INC with pinhole predicted postoperative distance acuity within one line in 88% of patients and within two lines in 98% of patients. In patients with visual acuity of 20/200 or better, clear media and macular disease, the INC and distance acuities agreed within one line in 89% and within two lines in 98% of eyes.
Conclusion: Determining the vision capability of the macula in the presence of cataract or PCO is a commonly encountered clinical problem for retinal specialists. The INC is a new potential vision tester, which can be used as quick and simple adjunct in establishing the vision potential of the macula.