Laser interferometric prediction of postoperative visual acuity in patients with genetic ectopia lentis.

PURPOSE: To compare preoperative laser interference visual acuity (LIVA) with postoperative Snellen visual acuity (SVA), and to evaluate clinical significance using laser interferometer in patients with genetic ectopia lentis.

METHODS

We treated a series of 18 patients (34 eyes) with genetic ectopia lentis whose visual acuity did not improve with optical phakic or aphakic correction, or with modern microsurgery and automated suction-cutting devices. Laser interferometry and electroretinogram (ERG) were used for the examination of retinal function before surgery.

RESULTS

There was not significant difference between the interferometric acuity before operation and the corrected visual acuity after operation (p > 0.05), and the coincidence rate between them was 80% (27 eyes). ERG examination showed normal function in most of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that the laser interferometric acuity is a valuable method in evaluation of postoperative visual acuity in patients with ectopia lentis. In six eyes, the LIVA was lower than the initial corrected vision postoperatively, but ERG examination showed that the retinal function was normal in these patients. Therefore, in patients with genetic ectopia lentis, LIVA combined with ERG predicts visual acuity more accurately.