Are contrast sensitivity testing very important?

[St. Maries]

Are contrast sensitivity testing very important?

[Stateline]

Contrast sensitivity is a very important measure of visual function, especially in situations of low light, fog or glare, when the contrast between objects and their background often is reduced. Driving at night is an example of an activity that requires good contrast sensitivity for safety. Even if you have 20/20 visual acuity, you can have eye or health conditions that may diminish your contrast sensitivity and make you feel that you are not seeing well.

[Janessa]

Contrast sensitivity testing can be important in diabetes and cataract medicine. Cataracts are a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which causes light to scatter on the retina, reducing image contrast and causing dimness of vision. Many cataract patients have good visual acuity, but they still notice a loss of their visual capability. Contrast sensitivity testing can provide a true "real world" vision of a patient's functional vision. Tests of contrast sensitivity are normally done before and after cataract surgery, to document the degree of improvement that has been achieved.

[Hercules]

A contrast sensitivity test, checks for the ability to differentiate between light and dark. This ability, is as much an important sense as 20/20, allowing us to be able to carry out everyday tasks safely.Contrast sensitivity testing can be important in diabetes and cataract medicine. Cataracts are a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which causes light to scatter on the retina, reducing image contrast and causing dimness of vision. Many cataract patients have good visual acuity, but they still notice a loss of their visual capability. Contrast sensitivity testing can provide a true real world vision of a patient's functional vision. Tests of contrast sensitivity are normally done before and after cataract surgery, to document the degree of improvement that has been achieved.