Factors Affecting Contrast Sensitivity in Healthy Individuals: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the demographic and ocular features affecting contrast sensitivity levels in healthy individuals.Materials and Methods: Seventy-four eyes of 37 subjects (7-65 years old) with refractive errors less than 1.0 diopter, no history ofocular surgery, and 20/20 visual acuity were included in the study. The participants were divided by age into three groups: group 1,7-19 years, n=11; group 2, 20-49 years, n=15; and group 3, 50-65 years, n=11. All subjects underwent anterior and posterior segmentevaluation, intraocular pressure measurements, refraction measurements, and clinical evaluation for strabismus. Contrast static test wasperformed using Metrovision MonPack 3 vision monitor system after measuring pupil diameter. Photopic and mesopic measurementswere taken sequentially from right eyes, left eyes, and both eyes together.Results: Contrast sensitivity at intermediate and high spatial frequencies was lower with increasing age. Binocular measurements werebetter than monocular, and mesopic measurements were better than photopic measurements at all spatial frequencies. Contrast sensitivityat higher spatial frequency was lower with hyperopic refraction values.Conclusion: Increasing age, small pupil diameter, hyperopia, and photopic conditions were associated with lower contrast sensitivityin healthy individuals. Binocular contrast sensitivity measurements were better than monocular contrast sensitivity measurements in allconditions and spatial frequencies.