Contrast sensitivity in elderly subjects with a diagnosed ocular disease.

In a random sample of 3283 subjects, 1266 right eyes and 1334 left eyes were diagnosed as having one of the following: age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), cataract, or glaucoma. In this same sample 1369 right eyes and 1312 left eyes had no ocular disease. All eyes had their contrast sensitivity measured using the Arden-type gratings manufactured by The American Optical Corporation. This is a large sample survey and although prevalence rates for the diseases examined may be inferred, this must be carried out with caution. I found for those eyes where the disease interfered with the integrity of the retina (ARMD, glaucoma) the mean contrast sensitivity scores were higher, in the middle and upper frequencies, than for those eyes with lens opacities. For frequencies above 0.4 cpd contrast sensitivities associated with diseased eyes were significantly (p < 0.001) reduced when compared to the same measures obtained on nondiseased eyes.