Evaluation of quality of vision using contrast sensitivity in patients with retinopathy of prematurity

    Abstract

    Evaluation of quality of vision using contrast sensitivity in patients with retinopathy of prematurity

    L.V. Kogoleva, S.Y. Rogova

    Helmholtz Research Institute Of Eye Diseases, Moscow

    Material and methods. 51 patients (102 eyes) with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) aged 6 – 17 years were observed using spatial contrast sensitivity (SCS).

    Results. Our studies revealed a high frequency of SCS violations, even in cases of minimal residual changes in the fundus (77, 5 %). In patients with ROP I and II degrees, reduced SCS was most frequent for red and green stimuli in the range of medium and high spatial frequencies, which reflects the predominant impairment of the parvocellular vision system. In the 3-rd ROP degree, reduced SCS was revealed for all achromatic and chromatic stimuli in the range of low, medium, and high spatial frequencies, which is an evidence of the involvement of the magnocellular system, and may be a cause of a variety of visual disorders.

    Conclusion. SCS at patients with retinopathy of prematurity is a highly informative method to objectively assess the quality of vision.

    Key words: retinopathy of prematurity, contrast sensitivity, parvo– and magnocellular system.