CONTRAST AND GLARE SENSITIVITY IN DIABETIC-PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT PAN-RETINAL PHOTOCOAGULATION

Patients with diabetes mellitus often have ophthalmic dysfunction, as diabetic eye disease can affect the majority of the ocular structures. The present study investigated contrast sensitivity (experiment 1) an d glare sensitivity (experiment 2) using Pelli-Robson and Bailey-Lovie charts in normal and diabetic patients with a range of degrees of isc haemic retinopathy (n = 220). Contrast sensitivity thresholds reduced and glare sensitivity progressively increased throughout the range fro m normal to advanced stages of diabetic eye disease. However, the redu ction in contrast sensitivity between adjacent groups was not signific ant (P > 0.10). Conversely, glare sensitivity was found to be greater in those diabetic patients who had received laser treatment (P = 0.001 ). The potential use of both tests is discussed. (C) 1998 The College of Optometrists. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.