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PubMed1990

[Contrast sensitivity and diabetes].

Contrast sensitivity has been assessed in 24 diabetic patients in order to test the hypothesis that contrast sensitivity is impaired in the early stages of diabetes mellitus. All patients had 20/20 vision. Some evidence of visual dysfunction was observed in 33% of the diabetics with no retinopathy and 83% of the 6 patients with retinopathy when compared to 48 age-matched controls. Contrast sensitivity was mainly reduced in the mid-range spatial frequencies and correlated with the degree of retinopathy. The accurate assessment of visual dysfunction in diabetes is very important, as new drugs (i.e. aldose reductase inhibitors) are currently under evaluation.

Contrast Sensitivity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Contrast sensitivity in dyslexia.

Contrast sensitivity was determined for dyslexic and normal readers. When testing with temporally ramped (i.e. stimuli with gradual temporal onsets and offsets) gratings of 0.6, 4.0, and 12.0 cycles/deg, we found no difference in contrast sensitivity between dyslexic readers and controls. Using 12.0 cycles/deg gratings with transient (i.e. abrupt) onsets and offsets, we found that dyslexic individuals had, compared to controls, markedly inferior contrast sensitivity at the shortest stimulus durations (i.e. 17, 34, and 102 ms). This deficit may reflect more sluggish temporal summation. There was no difference in sensitivity to 0.6 cycles/deg gratings with transient onsets and offsets. Under these conditions, the two groups showed a consistent and equal increase in sensitivity relative to the ramped baseline condition at 0.6 cycles/deg at the longer stimulus durations. This demonstrates that dyslexic readers have no deficit in their ability to detect stimulus transients, a finding which appears to be inconsistent with a transient system deficit. That detection of the low-frequency stimuli was mediated by the transient system is further indicated by the fact that these stimuli were more susceptible to forward masking than were the high-frequency stimuli. The effects of masking of both high and low spatial-frequency stimuli were about equal for dyslexic readers and controls. This is not in agreement with the transient system deficit theory, according to which one would expect there to be less masking of high spatial-frequency stimuli in the case of dyslexic readers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Contrast sensitivity after penetrating keratoplasty.

Contrast sensitivity testing in the corneal transplant patient may enhance our assessment of visual performance, which is traditionally evaluated using Snellen acuity only. To evaluate contrast sensitivity function after penetrating keratoplasty, we studied 29 patients with anatomically successful corneal grafts and a best corrected visual acuity of 20/50 or better. Graft patients were compared with an age-matched control group including persons with comparable visual acuities without ocular disease. In addition to a complete ophthalmic examination, all subjects underwent contrast sensitivity testing using a computer-generated sinusoidal grating system as well as a commercially available contrast sensitivity wall chart. Data indicate that, despite comparable Snellen visual acuity, the contrast sensitivity curves for graft patients were depressed overall compared with those of normal subjects except at the lowest spatial frequency. However, comparison of grafted eyes to contralateral eyes with corneal disease in a small subset of patients with bilateral disease shows a trend toward higher contrast sensitivity values in the eyes that had been operated on. These data suggest that despite an improvement in contrast sensitivity with penetrating keratoplasty, an eye with a corneal transplant is not entirely normal from a visual standpoint. Nonacuity parameters may be important indexes for assessing real-world visual function in the graft patient, although the clinical role of these tests is not yet completely defined.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Adverse effect of antiepileptic drugs on the visual recognition--a contrast sensitivity function study].

Contrast sensitivity function (CSF) was measured in 16 patients (14-60 yr.) with epilepsy to investigate adverse effect of antiepileptic drugs on the central nervous system. Eight patients were treated with phenytoin, while 8 were given polytherapy (phenytoin in combination with phenobarbital, carbamazepine or valproic acid). Thirty-one normal controls (19-59 yr.) were also subjected to this study. Vertical sinusoidal gratings with various spatial frequencies (0.5-20.0 c/deg) were presented on a video monitor. Contrast sensitivity (reciprocal of threshold contrast) was determined at each spatial frequency. CSF of normal subjects showed an inverted U-shaped function against the spatial frequencies with a peak at 6 c/deg (medium size pattern). There was no significant difference in CSF values between normal controls and patients with epilepsy. However, 3 patients with polytherapy showed the significant reduction of contrast threshold. Since these patients did not complain of visual disturbance with normal visual acuity, CSF abnormality was considered as having subclinical visual dysfunction. These results suggest that CSF is useful for evaluating the adverse effect of antiepileptic drugs on the visual recognition, and that polytherapy is responsible for CSF abnormality. Therefore, monotherapy should be scheduled from the onset of therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Mesopic radial frequency contrast sensitivity function for young and older adults.

The objective of the present study was to determine contrast sensitivity curves of concentric circular patterns with radial frequencies of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 cycles per degree in young and older adult volunteers. These parameters were also compared with sensitivity contrasts for sine-wave gratings. All participants had normal acuity vision and were free of identifiable ocular illness. Contrast sensitivity was measured in 6 young adults aged 19 to 23 years and 6 older adults aged 60 to 69 years using the psychophysical forced-choice method. In this paradigm the volunteers had to decide which of two stimuli contained the above radial frequencies at low contrast levels. The other neutral stimulus was gray with homogeneous luminance. We detected a decline in contrast sensitivity for older adults at all radial frequencies compared to young adults. Also, contrast sensitivity for sine-wave gratings at all measured frequencies was better, as predicted, for all young adults. Maximum sensitivities in the radial frequency contrast sensitivity function and contrast sensitivity function occurred at 0.25 and 0.5 cycles per degree, respectively, for both young and older adults. These results suggest age-related changes in the contrast sensitivity function for concentric symmetrical stimuli.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The effect of monocular defocus on binocular contrast sensitivity.

The monocular contrast sensitivity loss with defocus is well known. We measured binocular contrast sensitivity of sinewave gratings of 6 c/deg in the presence of different levels of monocular defocus. In the absence of defocus, the binocular sensitivity was about 42% higher than monocular. With increasing monocular defocus, the binocular sensitivity decreased steadily until it reached a level below the monocular, showing binocular inhibition. The clinical implications of binocular inhibition with monocular defocus are discussed.

Contrast Sensitivity↗
PubMed2006

Spatial contrast sensitivity of birds.

Contrast sensitivity (CS) is the ability of the observer to discriminate between adjacent stimuli on the basis of their differences in relative luminosity (contrast) rather than their absolute luminances. In previous studies, using a narrow range of species, birds have been reported to have low contrast detection thresholds relative to mammals and fishes. This was an unexpected finding because birds had been traditionally reported to have excellent visual acuity and color vision. This study reports CS in six species of birds that represent a range of visual adaptations to varying environments. The species studied were American kestrels (Falco sparverius), barn owls (Tyto alba), Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), white Carneaux pigeons (Columba livia), starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), and red-bellied woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus). Contrast sensitivity functions (CSFs) were obtained from these birds using the pattern electroretinogram and compared with CSFs from the literature when possible. All of these species exhibited low CS relative to humans and most mammals, which suggests that low CS is a general characteristic of birds. Their low maximum CS may represent a trade-off of contrast detection for some other ecologically vital capacity such as UV detection or other aspects of their unique color vision.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1992

Contrast sensitivity during horizontal visual pursuit: dynamic sensitivity functions.

The contrast sensitivity functions of college students for grating targets presented at angular velocities of 0, 30, 60, and 90 deg s-1 were determined for target durations of 200 and 600 ms. The most pronounced effects of target movement were evident at the mid to high spatial frequencies in which sensitivity was markedly reduced as velocity increased. These adverse effects were greatest in the 200 ms condition, in which performance was largely limited to the saccadic eye movement system. In the 600 ms condition, in which both saccadic and smooth pursuit eye movements were possible, contrast sensitivity for the low-frequency target actually improved significantly for the 30 and 60 deg s-1 targets, whereas only adverse effects of target motion were found for targets of mid and high spatial frequencies. The results are discussed in terms of the limitations of traditional visual assessment procedures and the practical and theoretical benefits of conceptualizing the joint effects of target composition and target movement.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Rapid contrast sensitivity assessment in keratoconus.

Contrast sensitivity derangement may accompany keratoconus even in the presence of normal or near normal Snellen visual acuity. This has been demonstrated with computer-driven contrast sensitivity test devices. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility and efficacy of rapid screening devices for contrast sensitivity testing. However, such devices are often cumbersome and difficult to use clinically. We tested 12 patients with keratoconus on 2 simple chart systems designed to test contrast sensitivity in a rapid and clinically useful manner: the Vistech chart and the Regan multi-contrast visual acuity charts. Both devices detected the contrast sensitivity abnormalities present in early keratoconus, but some patients [with greater than or equal to 6/12 (20/40) visual acuity] were unable to respond to areas of the charts corresponding to high spatial frequency and/or low contrast tasks. Such simple wall charts may be useful in measuring the visual abnormalities in early keratoconus, in monitoring the progression of the disease, and in evaluating various treatment options.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Reading performance with low vision aids: relationship with contrast sensitivity.

Reading performance and contrast sensitivity were measured in 30 subjects with low vision due to a variety of pathologies. The Pepper test was used to quantify reading rate and accuracy with the subject's own prescribed optical reading low vision aid. It was found that both reading rate and accuracy were repeatable measures. Reading rates were found to be correlated with contrast sensitivity at 0.5 c/deg (r = 0.62). Multiple regression analysis also showed that the best predictor of reading rate was contrast sensitivity at 0.5 c/deg and that no other components of the contrast sensitivity function helped to explain more of the variance. This indicates that primarily low spatial frequencies are necessary for reading with optical low vision aids, as has been found previously for reading with a close circuit TV system.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Assessment of contrast sensitivity of patients with macular disease using reduced contrast near visual acuity charts.

A set of near Bailey-Lovie logMAR letter charts that varied in contrast from 0.40 dB (C = 0.95) to 58.0 dB (C = 0.001) were used to measure the middle and high spatial frequency range of the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) of 15 subjects with age-related maculopathy (ARM) and 15 age-matched normal subjects. The letter charts were shown to have good test-retest reliability. Compared with measures made using CRT generated square wave gratings of variable contrast and spatial frequency they were also shown to provide a valid measure of CSF in the mid to high spatial frequency range. The 20.0 dB letter chart alone was shown to be a good screening device for macular disease. The letter charts do not provide a measure of the peak of the CSF and a supplementary test of contrast sensitivity is needed to quantify contrast sensitivity at a low spatial frequency. Three measures are proposed as necessary to document foveal visual capability of patients with macular disease: distance logMAR visual acuity to measure high spatial frequency resolution, visual acuity with letter charts of 20 dB contrast to assess mid spatial frequency resolution; and contrast sensitivity for the detection of an edge to estimate contrast sensitivity for larger objects.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Assessment of techniques for measuring contrast sensitivity in children.

Contrast sensitivity was measured in 10 children aged from 3 to 11 years using 4 psychophysical techniques in order to establish the best method of measurement for clinical use. Of the four methods, staircase, ascending continuous, modified Von Bekesy and two-alternate forced-choice, the staircase was selected as the most appropriate clinical technique and monocular contrast sensitivity functions of normal children were measured.

Child↗
PubMed2001

Myopia and contrast sensitivity function.

PURPOSE: to measure the contrast sensitivity function of varying degrees of myopia with two types of optical correction (spectacle lens and contact lens). METHODS: One hundred and five myopic eyes and twenty-eight emmetropic eyes were collected. The myopic group included 105 eyes corrected with spectacle lenses and 71 eyes of them corrected with contact lenses, too; all had corrected vision acuity of 20/20 or better. The myopic eyes were divided into four groups: group 1 (-1D to -3D), low myopia; group 2 (-3.25D to -6D), medium myopia; group 3 (-6.25D to -12D), high myopia; and group 4 (> -12D), severe myopia. Spatial contrast sensitivity was measured using the OPTEC 2000 Contrast Sensitivity System. RESULTS: In groups 1 and 2, no statistically significant difference was found between myopes and emmetropes. In group 3, statistically significant loss of contrast sensitivity at higher spatial frequencies was found for myopic subjects corrected with spectacle lens, but not for myopes corrected with contact lens. In group 4, myopic subjects corrected with spectacle lenses showed significantly reduced contrast sensitivity function at all spatial frequencies; subjects corrected with contact lenses showed statistical sensitivity losses at 6, 12, 18 cycle/degree spatial frequencies. CONCLUSIONS: 1. We may suppose that low and medium myopes (groups 1 and 2), who showed normal contrast sensitivity functions, had no retinal dysfunction. 2. For high myopes, contact lens correction could reduce optical defocus and improve contrast sensitivity function in high spatial frequencies. 3. As retinal function disturbances occurred in severe myopes, the diminished contrast sensitivity was not fully compensated by contact lens correction. 4. Loss of contrast sensitivity might be interpreted as evidence for early retinal function disruption before retinal pathological events occur in severe myopes.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Suprathreshold contrast sensitivity in experimentally strabismic monkeys.

Human strabismic amblyopes show deficits in spatial vision that can be revealed in a variety of visual tasks. In particular, they show a reduced sensitivity to contrast for a wide range of spatial frequencies. The ability of strabismic amblyopes to process contrast information at levels well above detection threshold is less well understood and somewhat controversial. In the course of investigating the neural basis of strabismic amblyopia we studied contrast processing both at and above detection threshold in experimentally strabismic monkeys (Macaca nemestrina). First we trained them to perform a contrast detection task and measured their contrast sensitivity for a wide range of spatial frequencies. Then we trained them to discriminate between two gratings that were identical except for their contrast. We show that these monkeys exhibit deficits in both tasks. The deficits in the contrast discrimination task cannot be solely attributed to their deficit at threshold.

Amblyopia↗
PubMed1985

Spatial contrast sensitivity in macular disorder.

Spatial contrast sensitivity functions were evaluated in 30 patients with macular disorders and 16 age-matched control subjects. Eighteen of the affected eyes had macular holes and the rest had isolated macular problems. A loss in spatial contrast sensitivity in the central visual field indicated a relative scotoma resulting from macular dysfunctions. The nature and size of a localized scotoma such as the type caused by a macular lesion was estimated by measuring spatial contrast sensitivity as a function of retinal area centered on the fovea. Such spatial-contrast-threshold perimetry was found to be helpful in differential classification of macular holes. Spatial contrast sensitivity and visual resolution improved with increasing retinal area even in the eyes with macular holes, but never reached normal sensitivity for spatial frequencies above 5 cycles per degree (cpd) within our experimental conditions. The loss in sensitivity to low spatial frequencies (less than or equal to 5 cpd) was found to be apparent and a function of the retinal area stimulated. The summation curves (contrast sensitivity vs. stimulus size) were abnormal for all spatial frequencies. The 'critical' sizes (i.e. the stimulus size above which no increase in sensitivity occurred) were always larger in the affected eyes than those in the normal. Thus 'critical' areas of complete summation in the parafovea may be a better measure of functional integrity of central retina in the presence of a foveal lesion than the visual resolution that varies with the retinal area and location activated. Evaluation of contrast sensitivity of the parafoveal regions with nonfunctional fovea also indicated existence of similar mechanism of spatial vision in the fovea and the parafovea.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Spatial contrast sensitivity in multiple sclerosis].

Spatial contrast sensitivity was measured in 110 patients with multiple sclerosis (definite = 72, probable = 22, possible = 16) as part of a routine evaluation in a neuro-ophthalmological clinic. Results were compared with those of 37 normal controls matched for age. The test was abnormal in 71 p. 100 of patients. Contrast sensitivity was attenuated for 97 p. 100 of the eyes with optic neuritis and visual acuity drop, for 60 p. 100 of the eyes with recovered optic neuritis and for 36 p. 100 of the non affected eyes in the cases of unilateral optic neuritis. Among the 57 patients with normal visual acuity and no history of optic neuritis, 62 p. 100 had abnormal findings. Globally, contrast sensitivity was reduced on the whole spatial frequency range in cases of current optic neuritis, and mostly on the high or high and medium frequencies in the other cases. Our study confirms that spatial contrast sensitivity is the most sensitive of psychophysical methods to detect subclinical visual impairement in multiple sclerosis. Comparison with VEP's was performed in 66 patients. Both tests were roughly equally sensitive, but findings were concordant in only 63 p. 100 of the cases. The use of both VEP's and spatial contrast sensitivity increases the detection of latent optic neuritis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Contrast sensitivity in multifocal intraocular lenses.

Contrast sensitivity was measured in two groups of 20 patients each implanted with refractive and diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses and in two control groups of 20 patients each--the first group implanted with a monofocal IOL and the second phakic subjects. All cases had a postoperative follow-up of at least one year and a corrected visual acuity of 20/20- or better. We used two psychophysical tests, Pelli Robson test chart and Vistech 6500 test chart, and an objective test, visual evoked potentials (VEPs). There were no statistically significant differences in contrast sensitivity in the psychophysical tests between the two groups implanted with multifocal IOLs. The situation was different, however, when they were compared with the control group with monofocal IOLs and the group with phakic eyes: the Pelli-Robson test results were not significantly different, but the Vistech 6500 test showed a significant reduction in contrast sensitivity in both groups. The pattern VEPs objective test confirmed these results: no differences were noted between the two different multifocal IOLs, while there was a drop in contrast sensitivity when their results were compared with those of the control groups; the intermediate frequencies were particularly affected by this phenomenon. The contrast sensitivity in patients with multifocal IOLs is reduced despite high visual acuity and this can affect the quality of vision.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Contrast sensitivity in amblyopia.

Contrast sensitivity function (CSF) for sinusoid gratings of varying spatial frequencies was determined for each eye of 21 cases with unilateral amblyopia. The CSF of all amblyopic eyes, except one, showed reduced sensitivity when compared with the non-amblyopic eye of the same person. The curve showed reduction more significantly at middle and high spatial frequencies. The cut-off frequency was shifted toward lower spatial frequencies. The relationship between CSF and various degree of amblyopia was also discussed.

Adolescent↗