 Potential
Acuity
Tests
 PAM
(Potential
Acuity
Meter)
also
known
as
the
Guyton
Super
Pinhole
These
work
on
different
principles,
but
both
are
helpful
in
assessing
retinal
function.
The
PAM
projects
an
eye
chart
directly
on
the
retina
and
bypasses
the
cataract.
This
allows
the
examiner
to
test
the
visual
acuity
without
interference
from
the
cloudy
lens.
For
the
Super
Pinhole,
the
patient
looks
at
a
special
chart
through
a
disc
with
tiny
holes.
This
allows
the
patient
to
isolate
tiny
clear
spots
in
the
cataract.
When
considering
cataract
surgery,
these
tests
help
the
doctor
determine
the
potential
visual
acuity
if
the
cataract
was
removed.
Testing
potential
acuity
is
especially
helpful
when
considering
cataract
surgery
for
patients
with
retinal
disease
such
as
macular
degeneration.
By
performing
this
simple
test,
the
amount
of
vision
loss
that
can
be
attributed
to
the
degeneration
vs.
the
cataract
can
be
determined.
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