[Influence of Sex and Age on Contrast Sensitivity Subject to the Applied Method]

The aim of the study was to detect gender and age differences in both photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity with different methods in relation to German driver's license regulations (Fahrerlaubnisverordnung; FeV).

We examined 134 healthy volunteers (53 men, 81 women) with an age between 18 and 76 years, that had been divided into two groups (AG I < 45 years old, AG II ≥ 45 years old). Mesopic contrast sensitivity was determined with the Mesotest II. Optovist EU and Rodatest 302 as test devices and VISTECH and Mars charts under standardized illumination were applied for photopic contrast sensitivity.

We could not find any gender differences. When evaluating age, there were no differences between the two groups for the Mars charts nor in the Rodatest. In all other tests, the younger volunteers achieved significantly better results.

For contrast vision, there exists age-adapted cut-off-values. Concerning the driving safety of traffic participants, sufficient photopic and mesopic contrast vision should be focused on, independent of age. Therefore, there is a need to reconsider the age-adapted cut-off-values.