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The full-field temporal contrast sensitivity test for glaucoma: influence of cataract
A G Jünemann1, F K Horn, P Martus
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. anselm.juenemann@augen.med.uni-erlangen.de
Purpose:
To determine the influence of lens opacities on temporal contrast sensitivity, measured by the full-field flicker test ("Erlangen flicker test").
Methods:
Thirty-six consecutive patients (mean age 71.1+/-11.6 years, 12 male, 24 female, refractive error -1.5+/-3.8 dpt) with cataract (visual acuity 0.21+/-0.16, retinal acuity 0.56+/-0.32, no glaucoma) were studied. Temporal contrast sensitivity (full-field flicker test, 37.1 Hz) and lens opacity (back scatter Lens Opacity Meter, Interzeag) were measured preoperatively and on the 3rd postoperative day.
Statistics:
nonparametric tests (Wilcoxon-test, Spearman correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney U-test).
Results:
No significant difference was seen in temporal contrast sensitivity pre- and postoperatively, but there was a significant difference in lens opacity measurements pre- and postoperatively. No significant correlation was found between temporal contrast sensitivity and lens opacity values preoperatively and postoperatively.
Conclusion:
The temporal contrast sensitivity, measured by the full-field flicker test, seems to be independent of lens opacity due to the range of cataract included in this study. The data indicate that the full-field flicker test is useful for early glaucoma detection even in patients with cataract formations.