The significance of testing preoperative visual function in cataract using laser interferometric visual acuity and ERG.

Tests of preoperative visual function and prediction of postoperative E chart visual acuity (ECVA) using laser interferometric visual acuity (LIVA) and electroretinogram (ERG) were performed in 16 cases (19 eyes) of cataract. The results showed that the coincident rate between preoperative LIVA and postoperative ECVA was 63.2%, and there was a parallel correlation between preoperative amplitude of photopic ERG b-wave and postoperative ECVA in 79.0% of the eyes. Comparing these two methods, the test of LIVA is very simple, fast, and is easily accepted by the patients with cataract. ERG is an objective method, which is slightly influenced by dense lens, but the test is more complex. Therefore, the combined use of these two methods will provide a more comprehensive and correct evaluation of preoperative visual function and a more reliable prediction for postoperative visual acuity in patients with cataract.