Contrast Sensitivity Changes in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy.

Kim, Eun Ah; Koo, Yoon Jung; Han, Young Bok

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 1995;36(9):1523-1528.
Published online September 1, 1995.

Contrast Sensitivity Changes in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy.

Eun Ah Kim, Yoon Jung Koo, Young Bok Han

Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.

당뇨망막병증 유무와 대비감도와 변화

김은아(Eun Ah Kim),구윤정(Yoon Jung Koo),한영복(Young Bok Han)

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.

Key Words: Contrast sensitivity;Diabetic retinopathy;Snellen acuity