Prediction of post cataract extraction visual acuity: 10 Hz visually evoked potentials

Cataract patients suspected of having disease that might interfere with good postoperative visual function were evaluated by eliciting monocular steady-state luminance visual evoked potentials (VEPs) with closed eyes at a stimulus rate of 10 flashes/sec. VEPs were rated as either normal or abnormal. Patients with normal VEPs were predicted to have visual acuity of 6/15 (20/50) or better. Patients with abnormal VEPs were predicted to have acuities of 6/18 (20/60) or worse. Postoperative acuities were determined for all patients who underwent surgery and who had no intraoperative or early postoperative complications. The predicted and observed postoperative acuities were quantitatively compared for the 59 patients who met these criteria, using a 2 X 2 contingency table. The chi-square was significant (p less than .001). The overall accuracy of prediction was 80%. Accuracy of the predictions for patients with preoperative acuities of 6/60 (20/200) or better was compared with the accuracy of the predictions for those with preoperative acuities of 60/120 (20/400) or worse. There was no significant difference (p greater than 0.10).