Mentor Guyton/Minkowski PAM 22-4300 Acuity Potential Meter
Mentor Guyton/Minkowski PAM 22-4300 Acuity Potential Meter
79171 - Mentor Guyton/Minkowski PAM 22-4300 Acuity Potential Meter


The Guyton-Minkowski Potential Acuity Meter measures retinal visual acuity behind a cataract or other media opacity. Introduced in 1983, the PAM is mainly used to estimate visual outcomes after cataract surgery. It projects a Snellen eye chart—via a narrow beam of light—that converges to a 0.1-mm aerial aperture. This opening is placed onto less dense areas (ie, windows) within the cataract, allowing the eye chart to be focused onto the retina with minimal cataract-induced light scattering. Because the PAM test uses a smaller aperture than the 1-mm opening for pinhole, it more accurately measures retinal acuity and estimates postsurgical visual results.