PAM
Potential acuity meter
PAM stands for "potential acuity meter." It is an instrument used to examine the eyes. Your health care provider can use this tool to predict how well you may see after eye surgery. People who have reduced vision due to cataracts may also have other reasons for poor vision. The PAM will help predict what the vision will be after the cataracts are removed. If cataracts are severe, the PAM may not give useful information.
References
Datiles MB III, Ansari RR. Clinical evaluation of cataracts. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Ophthalmology . 2013 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013:vol 1;chap 73B.
Stein HA, Stein RM, Freeman MI. Preliminary examination. In: Stein HA, Stein RM, Freeman MI, eds. The Ophthalmic Assistant . 9th ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 8.
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Normal vision - illustration
Normal vision occurs when light is focused directly on the retina rather than in front or behind it.
Normal vision
illustration
Review Date: 11/4/2015
Reviewed By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.