What is the purpose of visual potential testing?

Visual potential testing serves to evaluate the potential visual status of a patient, particularly in cases where there may be media opacities, such as cataracts or corneal scars. The primary goal is to ascertain what level of vision the patient could achieve if the media were clear—essentially predicting the outcome of possible surgical interventions or treatments. This is crucial in making informed decisions about the management of a patient's ocular condition, especially when current visual acuity is impaired due to opacities that hinder light from reaching the retina.

In contrast, diagnosing specific eye conditions requires more targeted testing that identifies the nature and cause of the eye disorder. Measuring current visual acuity assesses how well a patient can see at present, but it does not account for potential vision improvement if treatment is applied. Assessing color vision focuses on a different aspect of visual function that does not relate to predicting potential visual outcomes in the presence of media opacities.