J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1986 Jun;27(3):317-320.

Contrast Sensitivity in Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetics

• Nah H
• Kwon OW
• Kim HB
• Lim SJ

Abstract

Contrast sensitivity measurements were obtained from 45 patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus(NIDDM) who had normal Snellen acuity and minimal or no visible diabetic retinopathy. Contrast sensitivity thresholds were determined with a convenient microcomputer driven display system developed by the members of Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine. The data obtained from each diabetic. patients were compared with the normal contrast sensitivity of Korean(Lee et al, 1984). We found that, 1) The patients with NIDDM and no retinopathy had abnormal contrast sensitivity at two spatial frequencies (0.4 and 27.4 LP/D). 2) The patients with NIDDM and background retinopathy had abnormal contrast sensitivity at nearly all spatial frequencies tested. We also found a dissociation of Snellen acuity and contrast sensitivity and that contrast sensitivity can be used as an early index of changes in the retina not demonstrated by measurements of visual acuity.

MeSH Terms

Contrast Sensitivity*
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Diabetic Retinopathy
Humans
Microcomputers
Ophthalmology
Retina
Visual Acuity