Contrast Sensitivity Is Impaired in Suspected Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Vision Science
• Glaucoma Research

Background:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Early detection of POAG is crucial for effective management and vision preservation.
• Spatial contrast sensitivity (CS) is a key visual function that may be affected in early glaucoma stages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate spatial contrast sensitivity (CS) in patients suspected of having primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
• To compare CS between suspected POAG patients, early POAG patients, and healthy controls.
• To investigate the correlation between CS and clinical parameters, and assess its diagnostic accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Spatial contrast sensitivity (CS) was measured using sinusoidal gratings at 4 cycles/degree.
• Foveal and peripheral CS were assessed in suspected POAG patients and compared to age-matched healthy controls.
• Foveal CS was also assessed in early POAG patients and compared to suspected POAG patients and controls, considering age groups (under and over 50).

Main Results:

• Peripheral CS was significantly lower in older suspected POAG patients compared to controls (p=0.040).
• Foveal CS was reduced in both suspected POAG and early POAG patients across both age groups compared to controls (p<0.001 to p=0.044).
• Foveal CS correlated with age and cup-disc ratio in early POAG, showing fair diagnostic accuracy (AUC=0.74) for early POAG detection.

Conclusions:

• Spatial contrast sensitivity is diminished in individuals with suspected POAG compared to healthy individuals.
• These findings suggest that spatial vision loss is evident prior to the clinical diagnosis of POAG.
• CS assessment may serve as a valuable tool for detecting early signs of vision impairment in POAG.