Age-Related Changes in Contrast Sensitivity in Central and Peripheral Retina

Perception ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Crassini ◽  
Brian Brown ◽  
Ken Bowman
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sharp Edge ◽  
Peripheral Retina ◽  
Central Retina ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Spatial Frequencies ◽  
Age Related Changes ◽  
Better Than

Eight young (average age 20.4 years) and eight elderly (average age 64.4 years) observers took part in three experiments designed to study age-related changes in peripheral retinal function. A further eight young (average age 22.3 years) and eight elderly (average age 63.8 years) observers took part in a replication of experiment 3. All observers had normal or better-than-normal visual acuity and no evidence of ocular pathology. All testing was monocular and the eye with better visual acuity was used. In the first experiment contrast sensitivity was measured in central retina and 10 deg temporally, at spatial frequencies of 0.2, 0.8, 2.0, and 5.0 cycles deg−1. Young observers had better contrast sensitivities than older observers, but only at higher spatial frequencies (2.0 and 5.0 cycles deg−1). For both groups, contrast sensitivity was poorer with peripheral presentation of stimuli than with central presentation, but not for the lowest spatial frequency used (0.2 cycle deg−1). In the second experiment observers had to detect the presence of a sharp edge (square-wave luminance profile), while in the third and fourth experiments the target was a ‘fuzzy’ edge (sine-wave profile). Edges were again presented centrally or 10 deg temporally. As expected from the data of experiment 1, young observers were better able to detect the sharp edge than were the older observers in both central and peripheral viewing conditions. For both age groups, edge detection was better during central viewing than during peripheral viewing. However, contrary to expectations based on the results of experiment 1, detection of the fuzzy edge was better for central than for peripheral viewing for both age groups in experiments 3 and 4. The apparent (and expected) equality of performance found in experiment 3 for young and elderly observers in detecting the fuzzy edge was shown to be due to the range of contrast values used. When appropriate contrast values were used in experiment 4, young observers detected fuzzy edges presented in central retina better than did elderly observers. The results of experiment 1 show sparing of the ability to process low spatial frequencies across (i) age and (ii) retinal location, and are discussed in terms of the notion of (i) models of age-related loss of visual function and (ii) cortical magnification. The results of experiments 2, 3, and 4 provide some support for the proposition that the contrast sensitivity of observers may be used to predict their performance on other visual tasks. However, consideration must be given to the influence of the nature of the psychophysical task required of observers when making such predictions.

Functional acuity contrast sensitivity assessment in young and middle age healthy persons at the day time with and without glare

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
Jelena Sidorova ◽  
Rasa Čiumbaraitė ◽  
Džastina Čebatorienė ◽  
Mantas Banevičius ◽  
Rasa Liutkevičienė
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sensitivity Assessment ◽  
Spatial Frequencies ◽  
Snellen Chart ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Healthy Persons ◽  
Group 1

Background. As people age, their vision becomes less clear; they can clearly see big objects but experience problems discerning minor things and minor details. The functional acuity contrast test is a very sensitive method used for visual system evaluation which may help to detect the beginning of the disease in case the visual acuity is still normal. Purpose. To determine functional acuity contrast sensitivity in young and in middle age healthy persons at the day time with and without glare. Materials and methods. We examined 40–49 yrs (Group 1), and 50– 59 yrs (Group 2) healthy persons. The typical Snellen chart (the direc­tion of the gap in Landolt C) was used for the non-corrected and the bestcorrected visual acuity testing. Functional acuity contrast sensitivity was measured employing a Ginsburg Box, VSCR- CST-6500, at the day time with and without glare. Results. Functional acuity contrast sensitivity remained very similar in the age groups of 40–49 years and 50–59 years. However, statistically, it significantly decreased at day time without glare (18 cycle / degree) spatial frequencies (p = 0.05). Results in Group 1 as compared to Group 2 decreased from 3.09% to 51.7% at the day time without glare and from 2.16% to 11.61% at the day time with glare. Conclusion. The facts are that contrast sensitivity remained very similar in the age groups of 40–49 years and 50–59 years at the day time with and without glare.

Contrast Sensitivity Predicts Age-Related Differences in Highway-Sign Discriminability

1985 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 637-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Evans ◽  
Arthur P. Ginsburg
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Visual Angle ◽  
Road Signs ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Spatial Frequencies ◽  
Snellen Visual Acuity ◽  
Highway Signs ◽  
Lower Contrast

This study was conducted to detennine if contrast sensitivity could predict age-related differences in the ability to discriminate simple road signs, as these differences have not been predicted by Snellen visual acuity. Contrast sensitivity, Snellen visual acuity, and discrimination distances for projected images of highway signs were measured for 7 older observers, ages 55 to 79, and 13 younger observers, ages 19 to 30. All subjects had 20/20 visual acuity or better, but the older group had significantly lower contrast sensitivity than did the younger group at three spatial frequencies: 3, 6, and 12 cycles/deg of visual angle. The older group required a significantly larger sign symbol in order to determine if it denoted a + or T intersection. Correlations between measures showed that highway-sign discrimination distance was significantly related to contrast sensitivity at two spatial frequencies, 1.5 and 12 cycles/deg, but discrimination distance was not related to visual acuity. Implications for highway-sign design and driver vision standards are discussed.

scholarly journals Associations Between Contrast Sensitivity and Aging

Medicina ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasa Liutkevičienė ◽  
Džastina Čebatorienė ◽  
Giedrė Liutkevičienė ◽  
Vytautas Jašinskas ◽  
Dalia Žaliūnienė
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Spatial Frequencies ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 5 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess age-related visual functions (visual acuity and contrast sensitivity) and compare the results by different age groups. Material and Methods. A total of 231 patients were examined. The patients were divided into 5 age groups: 10 patients in group 1, 30–39 years; 40 patients in the group 2, 40–49 years; 77 patients in the group 3, 50–59 years; 71 patients in the group 4, 60–70 years; and 33 patients in the group 5, 71–85 years. A typical Snellen’s chart (the direction of the gap in Landolt C) was used for noncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity testing. Contrast sensitivity was evaluated by employing a Ginsburg Box, VSCR-CST-6500. Results. Noncorrected visual acuity was significantly better in the group 2 than the group 3 (0.86 [0.28] vs. 0.69 [0.33], P=0.018). Moreover, noncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity was significantly better in the group 4 than the group 5 (0.52 [0.35] vs. 0.35 [0.28], P<0.001; and 0.9 [0.21] vs. 0.69 [0.27], P<0.005, respectively). Contrast sensitivity at the nighttime without glare was significantly worse in the group 2 than the group 1 at the spatial frequencies of 3, 12, and 18 cycles per degree (P=0.001, P=0.05, and P=0.01, respectively). The patients in the group 2 had significantly worse contrast sensitivity at the nighttime and daytime with glare at the spatial frequencies of 1.5, 12, and 18 cycles per degree (P=0.054, P=0.04, and P=0.01 and P=0.011, P=0.031, and P=0.011, respectively). The greatest differences in contrast sensitivity were observed between the groups 4 and 5, and it was 2 to 4 times better in the group 4. Comparing these groups, all the differences at the nighttime and daytime with and without glare were significant. Conclusions. Contrast sensitivity was worst among the oldest persons (71–85 years), and it began to worsen already in the persons aged 40–49 years. Contrast sensitivity was very similar in the age groups of 40–49 and 50–59 years.

Contrast sensitivity function in patients with macular disease and good visual acuity

2021 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2020-318494
Author(s):  
Karen M Wai ◽  
Filippos Vingopoulos ◽  
Itika Garg ◽  
Megan Kasetty ◽  
Rebecca F Silverman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Visual Function ◽  
Sensitivity Function ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Macular Disease ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Spatial Frequencies ◽  
Healthy Control

IntroductionContrast sensitivity function (CSF) may better estimate a patient’s visual function compared with visual acuity (VA). Our study evaluates the quick CSF (qCSF) method to measure visual function in eyes with macular disease and good letter acuity.MethodsPatients with maculopathies (retinal vein occlusion, macula-off retinal detachment, dry age-related macular degeneration and wet age-related macular degeneration) and good letter acuity (VA ≥20/30) were included. The qCSF method uses an intelligent algorithm to measure CSF across multiple spatial frequencies. All maculopathy eyes combined and individual macular disease groups were compared with healthy control eyes. Main outcomes included area under the log CSF (AULCSF) and six CS thresholds ranging from 1 cycle per degree (cpd) to 18 cpd.Results151 eyes with maculopathy and 93 control eyes with VA ≥20/30 were included. The presence of a maculopathy was associated with significant reduction in AULCSF (β: −0.174; p<0.001) and CS thresholds at all spatial frequencies except for 18 cpd (β: −0.094 to −0.200 log CS, all p<0.01) compared with controls. Reductions in CS thresholds were most notable at low and intermediate spatial frequencies (1.5 cpd, 3 cpd and 6 cpd).ConclusionCSF measured with the qCSF active learning method was found to be significantly reduced in eyes affected by macular disease despite good VA compared with healthy control eyes. The qCSF method is a promising clinical tool to quantify subtle visual deficits that may otherwise go unrecognised by current testing methods.

scholarly journals Lutein-Containing Antioxidants in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Dry Type of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Dorofeev
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Primary Open Angle Glaucoma ◽  
Open Angle Glaucoma ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Spatial Frequencies ◽  
Spatial Contrast Sensitivity

Objective.To assess the dynamics of structural-functional markers in patients with combined pathology: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with the background of lutein-containing drugs at long-term follow-up.Patients and Methods.The period of research was from November 2016 to January 2018; A parallel prospective study of patients (88 eyes), mean age 67.81 ± 8.41 (M ± σ); 67.64 (63.14; 73.08) (Me, Q25%, Q75%) years with combined pathology POAG and AMD (AREDS I and II). Patients were divided into 2 groups, the first group — a study group received Retinorm, by 1 capsule 3 times a day during a meal for 1 year, a second control group of 17 patients (32 eyes) did not receive lutein-containing medicines during the observation period. The study group consisted of 29 patients (55 eyes). There were 7 males and 22 females among them. The control group consisted of 19 patients (33 eyes), 2 males and 17 females among them. Visual acuity, standard automatic computer perimetry, optical coherence tomography, determination of spatial contrast sensitivity was carried out in all patients at the beginning of the study and after 1 year.Results.The maximum correlated visual acuity (MCVA) according to the table ETDRS increased in the study group and decreased in the control group, 95% the confidence interval for the changes in the MCVA: 0.1813636; 1.018182; 1.927273 и –3.878788; –2.393939; –0.8477273 (optotypes), respectively (W = 499.5; p = 0,0002919). Statistically significant changes in the thickness of the layer of nerve fibers of the retina (RNFL) neither in the middle nor in the sectors was revealed, and the thickness of the retina in oval foveal zone by sector: upper, temporal and lower statistically significantly decreased in the control group, while remaining unchanged in the observation group (р < 0.05). Spatial contrast sensitivity (SCS) after 1 year of use Retinorm remained at the same level in the control group, while there was a statistically significant increase in spatial contrast sensitivity in the main group, especially at high spatial frequencies is observed (р < 0.05).Conclusion.The results of the study indicate a positive effect of Retinorm used for 1 year. It was reflected in the improvement visual acuity in the distance, improvement of spatial contrast sensitivity, especially at high spatial frequencies, and the preservation of structural retinal indices both in the foveal zone and peripapillary.

scholarly journals Visual Outcomes of Macula-Involving Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment in Patients with and Without Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Barrett Paulk ◽  
Dala Eloubeidi ◽  
John O. Mason III ◽  
Christine A. Curcio ◽  
Jason N. Crosson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Retinal Detachment ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Light Perception ◽  
Postoperative Visual Acuity ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Functional Vision ◽  
Better Than

Abstract Background Patients presenting with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with concomitant age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and their treating physicians would benefit from knowledge regarding the visual prognosis after repair. The prognosis for such patients is not well known. The purpose of this study is to compare visual outcomes in macula-off RRD in eyes with AMD versus a group of comparison eyes without AMD. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of 1,149 patients. A total of 191 eyes met study criteria, 162 non-AMD eyes (controls) and 29 AMD eyes. The main outcome measure was postoperative visual acuity in control eyes versus AMD eyes, and this was compared using Fisher’s exact test. Results There was a statistically significant difference in postoperative visual acuity by AMD status, with those without AMD having a higher frequency of Count Fingers (CF), Hand Motion (HM), Light Perception (LP), or No Light Perception (NLP) vision (p = 0.023). More specifically 5.56% of non-AMD eyes and 3.45% of AMD eyes were 20/40 or better, 77.16% of non-AMD and 55.17% of AMD eyes were worse than 20/40 and better than 20/200, 10.49% of non-AMD eyes and 37.93% of AMD eyes were 20/200 or worse, and there were 11 eyes in the non-AMD group with CF, HM, LP, or NLP vision while there was only 1 eye in the AMD group with CF vision. Conclusions Though postoperative visual acuity was worse in the non-AMD group with a higher frequency of patients having final vision of CF, HM, LP, or NLP, this is not likely a clinically significant finding. Rather, it is a function of the difference in sample size and composition between the two groups. Importantly, this study suggests AMD patients can expect similar outcomes to non-AMD patients after RRD repair. Our study suggests that approximately 58% of patients with AMD can expect to maintain functional vision better than 20/200. We conclude that AMD patients can achieve functional vision after RRD surgery, similar to those without AMD. These findings may be helpful in guiding realistic expectations of AMD patients with RRD.

scholarly journals Effects of spectacles and telescopes on visual function in students with oculocutaneous albinism

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 758-767
Author(s):  
Siddeeqa Jhetam ◽  
Khathutshelo P Mashige
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Reading Rate ◽  
Oculocutaneous Albinism ◽  
Eye Care ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Observational Study Design ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Spectacle Correction

Purpose: To investigate the effects of spectacle and telescope corrections on visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS) and reading rates (RR) in students with oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). Methods: An observational study design was conducted on 81 students with OCA. Distance and near VA, CS and RR were measured without correction, with spectacle correction and with a combination of spectacle correction and telescopes. Results: The mean distance and near VA values with a combination of spectacle correction and telescopes were significantly better than those without correction and with spectacle correction alone (p = 0.01). Mean CS values achieved with spectacles alone were significantly better than those obtained with a combination of spectacles and telescopes (p = 0.01). There was no significant difference between logCS values obtained without correction compared to those obtained with a combination of spectacle correction and telescopes. There were no significant differences between RR values obtained with a combination of spectacles and telescopes and those without and with spectacle correction alone (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: This article provides valuable information to eye care practitioners on the effects of spectacles and telescopes on visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and reading rate in students with OCA. Keywords: Oculocutaneous albinism; visual acuity; telescope; contrast sensitivity; reading rate.

scholarly journals Age-related changes in behavioural and emotional problems in Smith–Magenis syndrome measured with the Developmental Behavior Checklist

2020 ◽  
pp. 174462951990105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Elisabeth Nag ◽  
Terje Nærland
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Emotional Problems ◽  
Chromosome 17 ◽  
Adaptive Behaviour ◽  
Genetic Syndrome ◽  
Developmental Behavior ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Autism Symptomatology ◽  
Behavioural And Emotional Problems ◽  
Age Related Changes

Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a genetic syndrome most often caused by a deletion on chromosome 17 or more rarely by a mutation in the retinoic acid-induced 1 gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the Developmental Behavior Checklist (DBC) profile of persons with SMS and the associations between behavioural and emotional problems, age, gender, adaptive behaviour and autism symptomatology. Twenty-eight persons with SMS were represented by their parents in this study. DBC Total scores are reduced with age, but they still show a mean that is clearly above the cut-off of 46. The differences between the age groups <9 years and 9–17 years ( p = 0.024) and between the age groups <9 years and >18 years ( p = 0.007) are significant. We found a significant decrease in behavioural and emotional problems with age in SMS. We did not find a relationship between adapted behaviour and communication and behavioural and emotional problems.

Contrast Sensitivity and Visual-Field Thresholds in Patients with Thyroid Optic Neuropathy

Perception ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 26 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 194-194
Author(s):  
J Jankauskiene ◽  
R Lukauskiene ◽  
B Mickiene
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Visual Field ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Optic Neuropathy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ophthalmological Examination ◽  
Threshold Test ◽  
Spatial Frequencies ◽  
Snellen Visual Acuity ◽  
The Mean

Thyroid optic neuropathy is one of the most troubling complications of endocrine ophthalmopathies. It is related to the degree of extraocular muscle swelling in the apex of the orbit. The purpose of this study was to investigate contrast sensitivity and visual-field thresholds in patients with thyroid optic neuropathy. We examined twenty-two patients aged 29 – 63 years (mean 45.3 years). The control group consisted of fifteen healthy persons of similar age. Contrast sensitivity was measured by means of Volkov's charts (sinusoidal gratings) at eight spatial frequencies from 17.5 to 0.46 cycles deg−1. The visual field was investigated with a static automatic perimeter (Allgan Humphrey Field Analyzer) by means of the central 30-2 threshold test. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination including best corrected Snellen visual acuity, fundus copy, and proptosis measurement with the Hertel exophthalmometer. The mean proptosis of patients was 19.4 mm. Fifteen of the patients had decreased visual acuity. Contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequencies was significantly reduced in the patients. It was established that a reduction of visual-field threshold accompanies the decrease of visual acuity. Our results show that contrast sensitivity and visual-field threshold testing are very sensitive at detecting early optic neuropathy and may be a useful means of following patients after treatment.

Prospective analysis of visual function changes in patients with dermatochalasis after upper eyelid blepharoplasty

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 978-984
Author(s):  
Meryem Altin Ekin ◽  
Seyda Karadeniz Ugurlu
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Visual Function ◽  
Spherical Aberration ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Higher Order Aberrations ◽  
Upper Eyelid ◽  
Spatial Frequencies ◽  
The Difference

Objective: To evaluate the changes of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, astigmatism, and higher order aberrations after blepharoplasty in patients with dermatochalasis. Methods: Two hundred six eyelids of 103 patients with dermatochalasis were prospectively studied. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, corneal topography, astigmatism degree, and higher order aberrations were examined and recorded before and at 1 month after upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Change in contrast sensitivity and astigmatism values were determined according to margin reflex distance of patients, which were classified into three following groups: <2 mm, 2–3 mm, and ⩾ 4 mm. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to compare the difference. Results: No significant differences were observed for visual acuity (p = 0.157). The contrast sensitivity of patients significantly increased at all spatial frequencies both under glare and nonglare conditions (p < 0.05). The mean refractive astigmatism significantly decreased from ‒1.01 ± 1.3 to ‒0.79 ± 0.71, postoperatively (p = 0.029). In patients with marginal reflex distance < 2 mm, mean contrast sensitivity was increased (p < 0.001) and mean astigmatism was decreased significantly (p < 0.001) compared with those with ⩾ 2 mm. Higher order aberrations decreased significantly from 0.62 ± 0.41 µm to 0.55 ± 0.38 µm (p = 0.038) after blepharoplasty. Root mean square of the vertical trefoil (p = 0.038), vertical coma (p = 0.002), horizontal trefoil (p = 0.027), third-order aberration (p = 0.005), secondary vertical stigmatism (p = 0.001), spherical aberration (p = 0.023), secondary horizontal astigmatism (p = 0.002), fourth-order aberration (p = 0.024), vertical pentafoil (p = 0.015), secondary horizontal coma (p = 0.035), secondary horizontal trefoil (p = 0.030), and horizontal pentafoil (p = 0.048) were decreased significantly. Conclusion: Upper eyelid blepharoplasty in patients with dermatochalasis has a significant improvement in visual function in terms of contrast sensitivity, astigmatism, and higher order aberrations.

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