Central contrast sensitivity tests in the detection of early glaucoma

The value of contrast sensitivity testing in glaucoma is still unsettled. To determine their value in screening for glaucoma 2 methods were applied to glaucoma patients (12 simplex, 9 pseudo-exfoliative). The techniques included an oscilloscope method generating centrally presented gratings and the Arden grating test. Results obtained were compared to those of age-matched normals (n = 11, one eye randomly selected). Unacceptable false negative rates were found for both methods, as well as a high false positive rate (2/11 normals) with the Arden grating test, confirming findings in earlier studies. No correlation could be demonstrated between contrast sensitivity deficits and visual field disturbance, glaucoma type or duration. It was concluded that central contrast sensitivity for static gratings is unable to reliably indicate the presence or absence of early glaucoma.