J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1995 Sep;36(9):1523-1528.

Contrast Sensitivity Changes in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy

• Kim EA
• Koo YJ
• Han YB

Abstract

Changes in contrast sensitivity have been demonstrated in patients with normal Snellen acuity. In an attempt to elucidate more sensitively the visual dysfunction before developement of either overt retinopathy or a reduction in Snellen acuity in patients with retinal disorders, contrast sensitivity test was performed in diabetic patients with normal Snellen acuity and control subjects matched for age and sex. The results were as follows. 1) Throughout all spatial frequencies(1.5 - 3.0 - 6.0 - 12.0 - 18.0 cpd), contrast sensitivity was significantly lower(P-value<0.01) in the diabetic eyes with retinopathy(30.7 - 49.3 - 52.5 - 16.1 - 7.8) than in the normal controls(42.5 - 84.3 - 103.0 - 60.5 - 25.1) or the diabetic eyes without retinopathy(43.1 - 92.2 - 95.8 - 43.4 - 16.4 ). 2) In high spatial frequencies(12.0 - 18.0 cpd) contrast sensitivity in the diabetic eyes without retinopathy group(43.4 - 16.4) was significantly decreased(P-value<0.01) in comparison with the normal controls(60.5 - 25.1). So, contrast sensitivity test is more sensitive test for central visual function than Snellen acuity.

Keyword

Contrast sensitivity; Diabetic retinopathy; Snellen acuity

MeSH Terms

Contrast Sensitivity*
Diabetic Retinopathy*
Humans
Retinaldehyde
Retinaldehyde