Visual Acuity Prediction with the Illuminated Near Card in Cataract Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of predicting potential visual acuity in cataract using the illuminated near card (INC). METHODS: Thirty-nine eyes (34 patients) having cataract were studied prospectively by comparing the postoperative distance Snellen acuity to the visual acuity (VA) obtained preoperatively using the INC viewed through a pinhole. RESULTS: The INC predicted postoperative acuity within two Snellen lines in 20 of 39. The accuracy between predicted and achieved acuities was follows 61.5% in patients with a preoperative acuity of better than 0.3, 53.8% of better than 0.1, 50.0% of better than 0.05 and 28.6% of worse than 0.05. The disparity between INC results and postoperative VA was 3.89 lines (cortical opacity, nucleosclerosis, subcapsular opacity), 2.48 lines (cortical and subcapsular opacity), 2.08 lines (cortical opacity, nucleosclerosis), 1.8 lines (nucleosclerosis only), 3.3 lines (nucleosclerosis, subcapsular opacity), 1.6 lines (subcapsular opacity) and 3.0 lines (the others). CONCLUSIONS: The INC is easy to use and is a fast and accurate measurement instrument for predicting postoperative VA after cataract operation.