Preoperative evaluation by laser interferometry in cataractous eyes with retinitis pigmentosa.

Measurements of visual acuity were carried out preoperatively by laser interoferometry in 16 cataractous eyes of 13 patients with retinitis pigmentosa who were older than 60 years of age. Subsequently, all patients underwent uneventful extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Postoperative visual acuity, which was evaluated as the best acuity during the first postoperative year, was improved in all eyes and it correlated well with the preoperative acuity determined by laser interferometry. Laser interferometry can be useful in predicting postoperative acuity and deciding on cataract surgery for elderly cataractous patients with retinitis pigmentosa.