Contrast sensitivity in retinitis pigmentosa.

Arden gratings were used to measure contrast sensitivity in 40 patients with retinitis pigmentosa whose Snellen visual acuity was 6/12 or better. When compared with a group of 30 normal subjects the patients with retinitis pigmentosa had substantially decreased contrast sensitivity, especially at high frequencies. The Arden grating test appeared to be a sensitive test of abnormal central visual function in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.