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Technical Report: Repeatability of Contrast Sensitivity Test in Children
Rosa Hernández-Andrés, María Josefa Luque1, Miguel Ángel Serrano
1Department of Optics and Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Insights
Contrast sensitivity (CS) testing in children is crucial as visual acuity alone is insufficient. The Topcon CC-100 shows better repeatability at mid-range spatial frequencies, but a learning effect impacts normal range adequacy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Vision Science
- Visual Psychophysics
Background:
- Contrast sensitivity (CS) is vital for visual function but not routinely assessed in children.
- Simple visual acuity tests do not fully capture vision quality in pediatric populations.
- CS deficits are observed in amblyopic and premature children, highlighting the need for specialized testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the repeatability and establish the normal range of contrast sensitivity function in children aged 4-9 years.
- To assess the utility of the Topcon CC-100 instrument as a diagnostic tool for pediatric contrast sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Contrast sensitivity was measured in 25 children (11 boys, 14 girls) with normal visual acuity.
- The Topcon CC-100 device was used to measure CS at spatial frequencies of 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree (cpd).
- Two measurements were conducted 3 months apart to assess repeatability.
Main Results:
- Repeatability (coefficient of variation) was best at mid-range spatial frequencies (3 and 6 cpd).
- Variability was higher at low (1.5 cpd) and high (12, 18 cpd) spatial frequencies.
- Older children exhibited better repeatability, and a learning effect was noted between the two measurement sessions.
Conclusions:
- The Topcon CC-100 demonstrates variable repeatability across spatial frequencies in children.
- A learning effect may influence test results, suggesting caution when applying standard normality ranges.
- Further research is needed to refine CS testing protocols and establish age-appropriate normative data for children.
Abstract:
Contrast sensitivity (CS) in children is not routinely measured in the clinical setting, although CS losses have been found in amblyopic and premature children. Thus simple visual acuity measurements do not completely assess their quality of vision. To evaluate contrast sensitivity in children, a reliable and easy test, sampling the entire spatial frequency range, is necessary.
Purpose:
This study aimed to evaluate the repeatability and normal range of the contrast sensitivity function measured using the Topcon CC-100 instrument, in children aged between 4 and 9 years, for use as a diagnostic tool.
Methods:
Contrast sensitivity was measured in 25 children, 11 boys and 14 girls, with normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity, normal binocular function, and stereopsis. Two measurements were performed, 3 months apart, with a Topcon CC-100 device using achromatic sinusoidal gratings of 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree (cpd) with random orientation in a circular window with sharp edges.
Results:
The normal range in the first visit is wider than in the second. Coefficients of variation are better for the middle-range spatial frequencies (6.6 and 7.8% at 3 and 6 cpd, respectively) and worst at 18 cpd (18.2%), with intermediate values at 1.5 cpd (11.3%) and 12 cpd (13.7%), and better for older than for younger children. No significant sex differences were found (P > .05, Mann-Whitney U test).
Conclusions:
Repeatability measured by the coefficient of variation is better for the middle frequency range (3 and 6 cpd) than for low (1.5 cpd) and high frequencies (12 and 18 cpd). The variability of the differences between the first and second measurements suggests that the participants were not able to maintain a stable response criterion. The test seems to be subject to a learning effect, and the standard normality range may not be adequate for children.
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