Combining refractive error and uncorrected visual acuity to assess the effectiveness of refractive corneal surgery

Residual refractive error and uncorrected visual acuity are two frequently measures used to assess the effectiveness of refractive corneal surgery. Nordan and colleagues have suggested a Visual Function Index which combines these two measures in one quantitative measure. This article presents a Visual Function Score for radial keratotomy which includes a set of qualitative categories (excellent, good, fair, poor) and specifies the clinical values for refractive error and visual acuity in each category. There was substantial agreement among ophthalmologists who reviewed the category definitions, and we think that the Visual Function Score improves our ability to objectively assess surgical outcome. Application of the score to the Prospective Evaluation of Radial Keratotomy (PERK) Study data yielded closer agreement with refractive error results than with visual acuity values. The Visual Function Score lowered the classification of eyes that were hyperopic but had sufficient accommodation to overcome so that a high visual acuity result could be achieved. The inclusion of astigmatism values would be an important next step in the development of composite measures for the assessment of refractive surgery. In the future, a multifactorial index or score may be used to estimate the outcome of reported surgical procedures.