Contrast Sensitivity – LogMAR Acuity

Change in the practice of eye care is occurring at a rapid pace. New testing technologies such as ETDRS acuity, contrast sensitivity, contrast acuity and glare sensitivity are being more widely used to measure the quality of vision related to eye care treatments and diseases. This is particularly important now that new surgical techniques have excelled to a level where many patients attain 20/20 or better standard visual acuity.

Cataract Surgery and Contrast Sensitivity

It is not uncommon now for patients to attain excellent vision within one day after cataract surgery. Contrast sensitivity can be used to determine the true loss in functional vision caused by cataracts and the recovery of vision to normal levels after the cataracts have been removed and replaced with IOLs. For those cataract patients who would like to be treated for the cataract vision loss and presbyopia (age-related far sightedness) at the same time, new premium IOLs are now available. These lenses allow patients to see clearly at distance, while also providing for excellent near vision. The goal of premium IOL surgery is to return the patient’s vision to a more youthful state, so that the patient can function in a wide range of lighting conditions without the need for either distance or reading glasses. This surgery can normally help patient to see under all conditions, except for really low contrast situations, such as reading a menu or wine list in a dimly lit restaurant. Many cataract surgeons also offer cosmetic treatment procedures for the eye area, such as eyelash Latisse treatment or Botox Injections. Ask about these procedures after cataract surgery has restored your vision.

Eye Care Treatments are Improving

As treatments improve, so must the testing technology. Standardization of contrast sensitivity tests and ETDRS acuity, using the VectorVision CSV-1000, has made these tests even more sensitive. VectorVision instruments provide the ability to detect and quantify subtle changes in vision.

The VectorVision testing equipment has become the worldwide benchmark for standardized contrast sensitivity and ETDRS acuity testing. The CSV-1000 instrument, and its sister instrument the CSV-1000HGT, are now used in more than 50 countries to aid in preserving patients most precious sense; eyesight. The CSV-1000 has also been used since the early 1990’s in FDA clinical trials to evaluate different types of laser eye surgery, such as LASIK.