Relation Between Amount of Apparent Accommodation and Contrast Sensitivity in Pseudophakic Eyes

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose:Some amount of apparent accommodation is usually found in aphakic and pseudophakic eyes. There have been several studies on the mechanism of apparent accommodation, but the influence of apparent accommodation on the quality of vision has not been addressed. In this study, we examined the relation between apparent accommodation and contrast sensitivity. Methods: Subjects were 36 eyes of 25 patients who had undergone phacoemulsification and posterior chamber lens implantation (Alcon MA60AC). The amount of apparent accommodation was measured with the accommodometer (Kowa HS–9G). Best spectacle–corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was also measured. We measured letter contrast sensitivity using CSV–1000LV and 10% low contrast visual acuity using CSV–1000LanC10%. Results:The amount of apparent accommodation was 2.69 ± 1.32 diopters (mean ± standard deviation). The amount of apparent accommodation significantly correlated with letter contrast sensitivity (r=–0.37, p<0.01) and 10% low contrast visual acuity (r=0.43, p<0.01). There was no significant correlation between the amount of apparent accommodation and logMAR BSCVA (r=0.24, p=0.17). Discussion: The amount of apparent accommodation obtained herein was similar to those reported previously. Apparent accommodation did not influence BSCVA, but was negatively correlated with contrast sensitivity function. Conclusions:Apparent accommodation compromises contrast sensitivity in pseudophakic eyes.

Keywords: cataract • contrast sensitivity • visual acuity