ABSTRACT
The potential visual acuity predicted by the laser interferometer (LI) was compared with the postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measured by Hans visual acuity chart in 30 eyes of 28 patients with diabetes mellitus (group 1) and 36 eyes of 35 patients with previous retinal surgery or other ocular disease (group 2) to determine the predictive accuracy of LI in complicated cataracts. 55 eyes of 51 patients without diabetes mellitus or any other ocular diseases were served as control. In control group, the LI closely estimated (in the range of +/-25%) postoperative BCVA in 33 eyes (60%), underestimated in 15 eyes (27%), and overestimated in 7 eyes (13%). In group 1, the LI closely estimated in 16 eyes (54%), underestimated in 10 eyes (33%), and overestimated in 4 eyes (13). In group 2, the LI closely estimated in 16 eyes (45%), underestimated in 7 eyes (19%), and overestimated in 13 eyes (39%). There was no significant difference in predictability between group 1 and control group (P=0.82, chi-square test). But, there was significant difference between group 2 and control group (P=0.03, chi-square test), and LI tended to overestimate potential vision in patients with complicated cataracts (P=0.01, chi-square test).