LASER INTERFEROMETRIC PREDICTION OF POSTOPERATIVE VISUAL-ACUITY IN PATIENTS WITH GENETIC ECTOPIA LENTIS

Purpose: To compare preoperative laser interference visual acuity (LIV A) with postoperative Snellen visual acuity (SVA), and to evaluate cli nical 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 electroret inogram (ERG) were used for the examination of retinal function before surgery. Results: There was not significant difference between the in terferometric 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 pat ients. Conclusions: The results showed that the laser interferometric acuity is a valuable method in evaluation of postoperative visual acui ty in patients with ectopia lentis. In six eyes, the LIVA was lower th an the initial corrected vision postoperatively, but ERG examination s howed that the retinal function was normal in these patients. Therefor e, in patients with genetic ectopia lentis, LIVA combined with ERG pre dicts visual acuity more accurately.