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Review
. 2022 Oct 22;3(1):29-32.
doi: 10.1016/j.aopr.2022.10.002. eCollection 2023 Feb-Mar.

The theory of critical flicker fusion frequency and its application in cataracts

Guangcan Xu  1   2 , Junxia Fu  3 , Haolan Qi  1   2 , Linyu Li  1   2 , Wenqian Chen  2 , Yi Gao  2 , Tianju Ma  2 , Zi Ye  2   4 , Zhaohui Li  1   2   4
Affiliations
Review

The theory of critical flicker fusion frequency and its application in cataracts

Guangcan Xu et al. Adv Ophthalmol Pract Res. .

Abstract

Background: Due to media opacity, it is usually difficult to accurately evaluate the postoperative visual acuity in cataracts patients. As a small and portable tool, the critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) device reflects the temporal resolution of visual function and has been widely used in clinical research. However, poor understanding of the technique and equipment limitations have restricted its clinical application in China.

Main text: There was a decrease in the CFF value in various ophthalmic diseases, indicating that the CFF is sensitive to detect visual functional changes. A number of studies have shown that the CFF test can accurately distinguish patients with simple cataracts from those with cataracts combined with fundus disease, and, as a visual test, it can more accurately predict postoperative visual acuity without being affected by media opacity. This study comprehensive reviews the basic principles of CFF and its application in ophthalmology, especially in cataracts.

Conclusions: As one of the tools for dynamic visual function detection, the CFF test could help doctors to assess the possible presence of fundus disease in cataracts patients, especially in eyes with dense cataracts, and more precisely provide a reasonable visual prognosis than other available visual tests.

Keywords: Cataracts; Critical flicker fusion frequency; Review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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