Tests for cataract surgery
Tests for patients undergoing cataract surgery
Potential acuity meter testing (PAM):Potential acuity meter testing enables one to have an idea about the possible visual recovery following cataract surgery. In this testing the doctor projects a chart of letters or numbers into the back of the eye through the gaps in the cataract that enables the patient to read the letters. Depending upon the number of lines that one could read, the potential for recovery of vision is estimated. One should realize that this is only an approximate estimate and very often the true recovery of vision is greater that the estimate.
Glare testing:
The glare testing permits one to assess the deterioration in vision that occurs with glare. Cataract can produce significant scattering of light. Hence people with early cataract may have good vision under ideal conditions of testing but the vision may deteriorate rapidly under conditions of glare. This testing enables one to decide on the need or otherwise for cataract surgery.
DBR:
This is a very important test that enables one to calculate the desired power of intraocular lens during the cataract surgery. This artificial lens implanted in the same location as the natural lens permits one to have good vision without needing to use the thick glasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery. The test involves use of ultrasound to measure the length of the eyeball and this information along with keratometry (the measurement of the curvature of the cornea) is used to calculate the IOL power by a complicated formula.
