April 2010
Volume 51, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2010
Normal Clinical Visual Function in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Conditions
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • K. Latham
    Vision & Hearing Sciences,
    Vision & Eye Research,
    Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
  • T. Tavassoli
    Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
  • S. Baron-Cohen
    Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
  • S. C. Dakin
    UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College, London, United Kingdom
  • M. Bach
    University Eye Hospital, Freiburg, Germany
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  K. Latham, None; T. Tavassoli, None; S. Baron-Cohen, None; S.C. Dakin, None; M. Bach, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  TT: Pinsent Darwin Trust and Autism Speaks UK
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2010, Vol.51, 1845. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      K. Latham, T. Tavassoli, S. Baron-Cohen, S. C. Dakin, M. Bach; Normal Clinical Visual Function in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Conditions. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2010;51(13):1845.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose: : There is currently debate as to whether superior performance (e.g. on visual search) by individuals with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) reflects a difference in low-level processing or in higher-level cognitive factors. Our purpose was to determine whether subjects with ASC differ in basic clinical visual function from unaffected observers. Previous work1 indicated superior visual acuity in ASC subjects, but methodological issues have been raised with this study2, 3.

Methods: : 17 adult observers with a clinical diagnosis of ASC (age 31.2±10.2yrs; 9 male, 8 female; Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) 39.1±6.6) and 19 controls (age 28.9±6.6yrs; 13 male, 6 female; AQ 16.6±4.0) participated. Habitual distance visual acuity (VA) was measured with an EDTRS chart. Observers were refracted by an Optometrist (KL) and best corrected VA assessed with the EDTRS chart, and with the FrACT4 at a 4m working distance. Clinical contrast sensitivity was assessed with Mars charts.

Results: : Refracting observers improved mean binocular EDTRS VA from -0.13 to -0.17logMAR. This difference was statistically significant (F(1,34)=18.6, p<.001), but not group dependent (F(1,34)=0.7, p=.42). We report no significant difference between ASC and control groups’ best corrected monocular (t=1.56, df 70, p=.12) or binocular (t=0.94, df 34, p=.35) acuity assessed by EDTRS chart, or binocular acuity assessed with FrACT (t=0.27, df 34, p=.79). Clinical contrast sensitivity did not differ between groups (t=0.28, df 34, p=.78).

Conclusions: : There is no evidence for differences in basic clinical visual functions between young adults with ASC diagnoses and controls. Superior performance by observers with ASC on other visual tasks does not appear to arise from differences in low-level visual function.

References: : 1. Ashwin, E et al., Biol Psychiatry, 2009. 65:17-21. 2. Bach, M & Dakin, SC. Biol Psychiatry, 2009. 66:e19-20. 3. Ashwin, E et al., Biol Psychiatry, 2009. 66:e23-24. 4. Bach, M. Optom Vis Sci, 1996. 73:49-53.

Keywords: visual acuity 
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×