Gunilla Haegerstrom-Portnoy1. 1. School of Optometry, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-2020, USA. ghp@berkeley.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess a broad range of vision functions in a large older population, to investigate the impact of vision function loss on visual performance measures, and to determine whether low contrast vision measures can predict future loss of visual acuity. METHODS: A large battery of vision functions, including spatial vision measures, glare tests, visual fields, stereopsis, color vision, temporal sensitivity, reading performance, and face recognition, was administered to a population of 900 community-living older observers (mean age, 75.5 years; SD, 9.3 years; range, 58 to 102 years). A subsample (N = 596) was retested on average 4.4 years later (SD, 1.0 years). RESULTS: Each vision function is affected differentially by aging. Some functions show little change with age (e.g., standard clinically measured high contrast visual acuity), whereas others demonstrate drastic losses with increasing age. For the oldest age group (>90 years), vision function losses ranged from 1.2 times worse than young observers (critical flicker/fusion frequency) to 18 times worse than young observers (low contrast acuity in glare). Visual performance measures, such as reading or face recognition, are also significantly affected by aging even in those with intact visual acuity. The results demonstrate that low contrast vision functions can successfully predict subsequent loss of high contrast visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Nonstandard vision function measures show significant losses with age that cannot be predicted by standard clinical measures. Measures of low contrast vision function allow clinicians to identify and monitor those patients at high risk for future vision loss.
PURPOSE: To assess a broad range of vision functions in a large older population, to investigate the impact of vision function loss on visual performance measures, and to determine whether low contrast vision measures can predict future loss of visual acuity. METHODS: A large battery of vision functions, including spatial vision measures, glare tests, visual fields, stereopsis, color vision, temporal sensitivity, reading performance, and face recognition, was administered to a population of 900 community-living older observers (mean age, 75.5 years; SD, 9.3 years; range, 58 to 102 years). A subsample (N = 596) was retested on average 4.4 years later (SD, 1.0 years). RESULTS: Each vision function is affected differentially by aging. Some functions show little change with age (e.g., standard clinically measured high contrast visual acuity), whereas others demonstrate drastic losses with increasing age. For the oldest age group (>90 years), vision function losses ranged from 1.2 times worse than young observers (critical flicker/fusion frequency) to 18 times worse than young observers (low contrast acuity in glare). Visual performance measures, such as reading or face recognition, are also significantly affected by aging even in those with intact visual acuity. The results demonstrate that low contrast vision functions can successfully predict subsequent loss of high contrast visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Nonstandard vision function measures show significant losses with age that cannot be predicted by standard clinical measures. Measures of low contrast vision function allow clinicians to identify and monitor those patients at high risk for future vision loss.
Authors: Else Vengnes Grue; Harriet Finne-Soveri; Paul Stolee; Jeff Poss; Liv Wergeland Sörbye; Anja Noro; John P Hirdes; Anette Hylen Ranhoff Journal: Curr Gerontol Geriatr Res Date: 2010-08-04
Authors: Gunilla Haegerstrom-Portnoy; Marilyn E Schneck; Lori A Lott; Susan E Hewlett; John A Brabyn Journal: Optom Vis Sci Date: 2014-01 Impact factor: 1.973