Potential Acuity Meter (PAM) Measurement

Potential Acuity Meter (PAM) is a simple visual test used on patients suspected of having some visual difficulty due to a probable problem in the front portion of the eye. This test is used most often in this office to determine what part of a patient's visual loss is due to retinal disease and what part is due to abnormalities of the front of the eye, such as cataract. A tiny beam of light is directed through the patient's pupil onto the retina. This beam of light actually contains a visual acuity chart with letters for the patient to read. The patient simply reads the chart to the best of his or her ability as would be the case with the more familiar visual acuity chart on the wall.

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