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.
Normal vision occurs when light is focused directly on the retina rather than in front or behind it.
References
Stein HA, Stein RM, Melvin I, Freeman MI. Preliminary examination. In: Stein HA, Stein RM, Melvin I, Freeman MI, eds. The Ophthalmic Assistant. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 8.
Lundström M. Outcomes of cataract surgery. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 5.18.
Version Info
Last reviewed on: 11/4/2021
Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
