Evaluation of the potential acuity meter in predicting visual acuity after photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the potential acuity meter in predicting visual acuity after photodynamic therapy of choroidal neovascular membranes caused by age-related macular degeneration.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 55 eyes in 51 patients with subfoveal predominantly classic choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration. Pre-photodynamic therapy Snellen visual acuity minus the visual acuity with the potential acuity meter was compared with the actual improvement in visual acuity. Significant improvement in visual acuity after photodynamic therapy was defined as a gain of more than 2 lines in Snellen visual acuity (0.2 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution units).

RESULTS

Eighteen (51.4%) of 35 eyes with a potential for improvement experienced an actual improvement in their Snellen visual acuity after photodynamic therapy (P < .001). All eyes lacking a potential for improvement failed to experience an actual improvement in visual acuity after photodynamic therapy.

CONCLUSION

The eyes that demonstrated better visual acuity with the potential acuity meter in this study seemed more likely to experience an improvement in visual acuity after photodynamic therapy.