Contrast sensitivity after resolution of central serous retinopathy.

The contrast sensitivity of 21 patients was measured using TV equipment (Wavetek 143 function generator and Sony PVM-90CE video monitor) and the Vistech test 6-15 years after the acute stage of central serous retinopathy. In the majority of cases contrast sensitivity was lower in the affected eye. The difference between the affected and the fellow eye was statistically significant at 1 and 6 cycles/degree (c/d) but not at 19 c/d. In 13/21 cases (62%) the results of the Vistech test were consistent with those of the TV test. Contrast sensitivity did not correlate with the duration of the disease or with the ultimate clinical picture of the macula. At 6 c/d there was a statistically significant correlation between visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. If the visual acuity was less than 1.0, contrast sensitivity was decreased, but decreased contrast sensitivity was also observed in four eyes with normal visual acuity, indicating that the level of visual deficit may not be established by measurement of visual acuity alone.