The full-field temporal contrast sensitivity test for glaucoma: influence of cataract

Purpose: To determine the influence of lens opacities on temporal contrast sensitivity, measured by the full-field flicker test (”Erlangen flicker test”). Methods: Thirty-six consecutive patients (mean age 71.1±11.6 years, 12 male, 24 female, refractive error –1.5±3.8 dpt) with cataract (visual acuity 0.21±0.16, retinal acuity 0.56±0.32, no glaucoma) were studied. Temporal contrast sensitivity (full-field flicker test, 37.1 Hz) and lens opacity (back scatter Lens Opacity Meter, Interzeag) were measured preoperatively and on the 3rd postoperative day. Statistics: nonparametric tests (Wilcoxon-test, Spearman correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney U-test). Results: No significant difference was seen in temporal contrast sensitivity pre- and postoperatively, but there was a significant difference in lens opacity measurements pre- and postoperatively. No significant correlation was found between temporal contrast sensitivity and lens opacity values preoperatively and postoperatively. Conclusion: The temporal contrast sensitivity, measured by the full-field flicker test, seems to be independent of lens opacity due to the range of cataract included in this study. The data indicate that the full-field flicker test is useful for early glaucoma detection even in patients with cataract formations. Received: 4 October 1999 Revised: 14 December 1999 Accepted: 10 January 2000