Penlight test for glare disability of cataracts.

We describe an alternative glare test using a simple penlight. When the glare and decrease in vision created by the penlight were compared on Snellen chart recordings, 92% of eyes within 20/50 or less visual acuity were no longer able to see even the 20/200 Snellen figure. This penlight test is suggested as an adjunct to standard Snellen testing in the evaluation of the cataract surgery patient.