Pre-Cataract Surgery Potential Acuity

58 yr/old male with both a cataract and mild myopic macular degeneration in one eye.  Best correctable vision with contacts is 20/70.  An opthalmologist and my retina specialist both suggested that the cataract has progressed to where it is worthwhile to consider surgery.  A cataract surgeon did a potential acuity test indicating post-cataract surgery acuity of 20/30.  However, my optomistrist suggested - without testing- not to expect anything better that 20/40 or 20/50.  Do pre-operative acuity tests provide reasonable estimates of post-operative acuity and are there other tests I could ask my surgeon to perform to abtain a reasonable estimate of acuity after surgery?  Also, I am considering monofocal IOL with emphasis on distance vision.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Potential visual acuity tests are some help. They are not standard of care and most people having cataract surgery (more than 2 million/eyes/year in US) don't have them.

Your best bet is the skilled look by your cataract and retina physician.

Good luck

JCH III MD

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

[naturelvr]

Thank you doctor for your attention and information

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You're welcome

JCH III MD