The purpose of this study was to look at the changes in Snellen visual
acuity and contrast sensitivity under standard and glare conditions b
efore and after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, Contrast sensitivity was mea
sured with a Pelli-Robson chart; a Brightness Acuity Tester was used a
s a glare source. Seventeen pseudophakic patients with no other ocular
disease underwent a capsulotomy. Under standard conditions, 7 showed
an improvement in visual acuity and 15 showed an improvement in contra
st sensitivity, Under glare conditions, 10 patients showed an improvem
ent in visual acuity and all 17 showed an improvement in contrast sens
itivity, The improvement in average contrast Sensitivity was greater u
nder glare (0.330) than under standard conditions (0.210; p = 0.01). C
ontrast sensitivity measurement, particularly under glare conditions,
provides additional information in the assessment of pseudophakes with
opaque posterior capsules.