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Contrast Sensitivity 1

The document discusses contrast sensitivity, defined as the ability to detect differences in luminance between objects and their backgrounds, and its measurement through various tests. It highlights the impact of low contrast sensitivity on daily activities and lists ocular conditions that can affect it, such as cataracts and glaucoma. Additionally, it covers glare sensitivity, its causes, testing methods like the Photostress Test, and management strategies to improve visual function.

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29 views

Contrast Sensitivity 1

The document discusses contrast sensitivity, defined as the ability to detect differences in luminance between objects and their backgrounds, and its measurement through various tests. It highlights the impact of low contrast sensitivity on daily activities and lists ocular conditions that can affect it, such as cataracts and glaucoma. Additionally, it covers glare sensitivity, its causes, testing methods like the Photostress Test, and management strategies to improve visual function.

Uploaded by

hamzabuzdar442
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Contrast Sensitivity

Contrast
 Contrast refers to the difference in
luminance between an object (L-max) and
its back ground (L-min) where object is
brighter than the back ground.
 Contrast is expressed as the ratio or

percentage.

C= (L-max) – (L-min) / L -max


Luminance
Luminance (L) is the physical amount of
light emitted by a source or reflected from
an illuminated object

Frequency:
The frequency of a target indicates how
many components of a repeating pattern
or grating occur within a given area or
space.
Contrast sensitivity
 The ability to detect, discriminate, or
recognize objects that vary slightly in
relative luminance is referred to as contrast
sensitivity (CS).
 It is impossible to accurately predict a

patient’s CS responses based on VA, nor can


VA alone properly explain difficulties in
perceiving low contrast images or any other
problems with visual function.
A person with low contrast sensitivity may
have such vision difficulties as:
 Trouble seeing traffic lights
 difficulty seeing pedestrians walking

alongside poorly lit streets


 Not being able to see spots on clothes,

counters or dishes
 Missing facial gestures
 Need extra light to read
 Eyes may become tired when they read or

watch television.
Ocular conditions that affect contrast sensitivity:

 retinal disease
 corneal edema
 glaucoma
 optic neuritis
 cataract
 refractive surgery
 contact lenses
Contrast Sensitivity
Testing
• Patient will be asked to look at a special test
chart that displays images in a sequence of
increasingly lower contrast.
• Person having good contrast sensitivity, can
see objects even when they are displayed
against increasingly low-contrast
backgrounds.
SINE WAVE GRATING
 Contrast sensitivity is measured using a
sine wave grating.
 A sine wave grating offers a continuous
change in luminance from maximal to
minimal and back to maximal again.
Transition from light band to dark band is
gradual.
 Narrower bands are described as having a
higher frequency, which must have higher
levels of contrast in order to be seen.
Contrast Sensitivity Charts
In clinical practice CS is measured using
either a television monitor or a chart.
For example:
 Pelli-Robson contrast test chart
 VISITECH chart
 Rear-illuminated Arden Grating targets
 Hiding Heidi CS test
PELLI-ROBSON PRINTED
CHART
VISTECH PRINTED CHART
REAR-ILLUMINATED ARDEN
GRATING TARGETS
HIDING HEIDI CONTRAST
SENSITIVITY TEST
Management:
 Environmental modifications
 Colored filters

i.e. Yellow Filters


 Wave front lenses

To reduce higher order aberrations

An aberration is a distortion of light when it


passes through an eye with irregularities of its
refractive components
Glare sensitivty
Glare
 Scattered light which reduces visual
function is called Glare.
 The effect of glare source depends on its
position and intensity and on the light
scattering properties of the ocular media.
 The sources of glare are usually:
(1) overhead artificial lights especially
fluorescent lights
(2) oncoming automobile headlights
(3) lights from computer displays
(4) direct sunlight and indirect reflection
off smooth surfaces
• Glare may be predominant symptom of

(1) corneal opacities or oedema


(2) Cataracts
(3) light-colored eyes with large pupils
(4) ocular inflammation
(5) glaucoma
(6) cone-rod dystrophy
Glare Testing
Glare testing refers to the measurement of
visual function (e.g. visual acuity, contrast
sensitivity, color vision) in the presence of a
glare source.

For Example:
 Photostress Test (Dazzling test)
Photostress Test
Principle:
 Light adaptation glare most commonly

measured with this test. Visual pigments are


bleached with light causing a temporary
state of retinal insensitivity which is
perceived by patient as a scotoma.
Procedure:
 Record patient's best corrected visual acuity

(BCVA) for distance.


 Bright light source held 3cm away.
 Patient is asked to look in the light for 10
sec.
 Photostress Recovery Time is the time taken

to read any 3 letters of the pretest acuity


line.
 Normal Response: 15-50 sec
 Stop watch is used for this purpose
Management
 Treat the cause (any pathology causing
glare)
 Removal or change in position of glare

source.
 Filters

i.e. grey or brown filter


 Hats / side shields
 Sun glasses
 Anti-Reflection coating

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