Predictability of postoperative visual acuity in patients with dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) using Retinal Acuity Meter (RAM)

Abstract

Purpose: : To assess the predictability value of RAM for postoperative visual acuity (VA) in patients with dry ARMD who are undergoing phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation.

Methods: : In this prospective study patients with cataract and dry ARMD were enrolled. Subjects were examined with the RAM prior to cataract surgery and predicted postoperative VA was recorded. Main outcome measure was the percentage of operated patients who had predicted VA and postoperative VA within 1 Snellen line at 1 month follow-up. Dry AMD was classified according to the International Classification System.

Results: : Ninety two eyes of 92 patients were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 76 ± 6 years. The predicted RAM and the postoperative VA were the same in 28 (30%) patients, deviation was within one snellen line in 52 (57%) patients and more than one lines in 12 (13%). Accurate predictability was most likely in cortical and nuclear cataracts compared to predominately posterior subcapsular cataract (p=0.01).There was no difference in predictability with regards to ARMD stage, age or sex.

Conclusions: : RAM is a useful tool in predicting postoperative VA in patients with cataract and coexisting dry AMD. Posterior subcapsular cataract may compromise the accuracy of RAM measurements.

Keywords: retina • cataract • visual acuity