Effect of age and refractive error on quick contrast sensitivity function in Chinese adults: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vision Science
• Gerontology

Background:

• Visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity function (CSF) are crucial for daily visual tasks.
• Understanding factors influencing these visual parameters is essential for maintaining visual health.
• Age and refractive error are known to affect vision, but their specific impact on CSF in normal Chinese adults requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of age and refractive error on visual acuity (VA) and quick contrast sensitivity function (qCSF) in a cohort of normal Chinese adults.
• To determine the primary determinants of CSF changes in this population.

Main Methods:

• Ninety-two Chinese adults with normal best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) were recruited.
• Measurements included various visual acuity tests (BCDVA, BCNVA, UNVA, SCNVA) and qCSF.
• Participants were stratified by age groups (20-40, 41-60, >60 years) and refractive error status (hyperopia, emmetropia, myopia, high myopia).
• Statistical analyses, including simple and multiple linear regressions, were employed to assess relationships between variables.

Main Results:

• Increasing age correlated with a hyperopic shift in refraction and decreased best-corrected near visual acuity (BCNVA), spectacle-corrected near visual acuity (SCNVA), and cut-off spatial frequency (SF).
• Individuals with hyperopia exhibited worse SCNVA and cut-off SF compared to other refractive groups.
• Age was identified as a significant independent predictor of cut-off SF, even after adjusting for refractive error and other VA types.

Conclusions:

• In normal Chinese adults with normal BCDVA, age is the predominant factor associated with changes in contrast sensitivity function (CSF).
• The effect of age on CSF appears to be independent of the individual's refractive error status.
• These findings underscore the importance of age-related visual changes and their potential dissociation from refractive status.