Reading Speed as an Objective Measure of Improvement Following Vitrectomy for Symptomatic Vitreous Opacities

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There is currently no objective measure of the visual deficits experienced by patients with symptomatic vitreous opacities (SVOs) that would also correlate with the functional improvement they report following vitrectomy. This study aims to determine whether reading speed can be used as a reliable outcome measure to assess objectively the impact of both SVOs and vitrectomy on patients' visual performance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty adult patients seeking surgery for SVO were included. Measures of visual function were obtained before and after vitrectomy using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study acuity chart, the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire, and the MNREAD acuity chart. RESULTS: In patients with nonopacified lenses (n = 10), maximum reading speed increased significantly from 138 to 159 words per minute after complete removal of SVOs by vitrectomy (95% confidence interval, 14–29; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Reading speed is impaired with SVOs and improves following vitrectomy in phakic and pseudophakic eyes with clear lenses. Reading speed is a valid objective measure to assess the positive effect of vitrectomy for SVOs on near-distance daily life activities. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2020;51:456–466.]