May 2005
Volume 46, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2005
Low–Contrast Visual Acuity and Small Letter Contrast Sensitivity in Adult Patients With Refractive Error
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • A.M. Betts
    Center for Refractive Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC
    Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
  • K.S. Bower
    Center for Refractive Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC
    Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
  • D.K. Bigelow
    Center for Refractive Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC
    Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD
  • J.C. Rabin
    College of Optometry, Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR
  • J.M. Burka
    Center for Refractive Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC
  • R.C. VanRoekel
    Center for Refractive Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  A.M. Betts, None; K.S. Bower, None; D.K. Bigelow, None; J.C. Rabin, None; J.M. Burka, None; R.C. VanRoekel, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  None.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2005, Vol.46, 4374. doi:
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      A.M. Betts, K.S. Bower, D.K. Bigelow, J.C. Rabin, J.M. Burka, R.C. VanRoekel; Low–Contrast Visual Acuity and Small Letter Contrast Sensitivity in Adult Patients With Refractive Error . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2005;46(13):4374.

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

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Abstract
 
Abstract:
 

To establish normative values for a low–contrastvisual acuity (CA) test and a small letter contrast sensitivitytest (SLCT) in a sample of patients with refractive error. Pre–op records of 438 patients who underwent refractivesurgery at an Army laser center were reviewed. 5% CA, SLCT score,manifest and cycloplegic refraction, and age were recorded fromeach patient’s record. The distribution of scores forcontrast testing was analyzed and examined for correlationswith age and refractive error. The mean logarithmic5% CA was 0.34 for both right and left eyes (20/44 Snellen equivalent).The mean logarithmic SLCT score was 0.38 (contrast thresholdof 42%) for the right eyes and 0.40 (threshold 40%) for theleft eyes. The mean SLCT score was lower than previously reported.Higher levels of myopia were associated with poorer performanceon both tests. Neither test showed significant correlation withage in this sample. This retrospective review providesnormative values for two methods of contrast testing in a militaryrefractive surgery clinic. The inverse correlation between myopicrefractive error and performance on contrast testing may beattributed to optical effects of spectacle correction and/orretinal factors in myopic eyes. The reduction in SLCT comparedto previously established values is likely attributed to thenon–standard luminance conditions under which the SLCTwas administered in this clinical setting.

 

 

 

 
Keywords: contrast sensitivity • visual acuity • myopia 
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