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 tes t"). 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 o pacity (back scatter Lens Opacity Meter, Interzeag) were measured preoperat ively and on the 3rd postoperative day. Statistics: nonparametric tests (Wi lcoxon-test, Spearman correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney U-test). Result s: No significant difference was seen in temporal contrast sensitivity pre- and postoperatively, but there was a significant difference in lens opacit y measurements pre- and postoperatively. No significant correlation was fou nd between temporal contrast sensitivity and lens opacity values preoperati vely and postoperatively. Conclusion: The temporal contrast sensitivity, me asured by the full-field flicker test, seems to be independent of lens opac ity 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 eve n in patients with cataract formations.