The Uppsala Contrast Sensitivity Test (UCST): A fast strategy for clinical assessment of contrast sensitivity

Lars D. Malmqvist; Per G. Söderberg

doi:10.1117/12.2054403

Translator Disclaimer

28 February 2014 The Uppsala Contrast Sensitivity Test (UCST): A fast strategy for clinical assessment of contrast sensitivity

Lars D. Malmqvist, Per G. Söderberg

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8930, Ophthalmic Technologies XXIV; 89300H (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2054403
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2014, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Routine clinical measurement of spectral contrast sensitivity is hampered by the time consumption of current methods. We are developing a system that allows instantaneous measurement of spectral contrast sensitivity. The UCST system consists of custom software running on an iPad connected to a calibrated TFT-monitor. Twenty healthy subjects were consecutively randomized to have their spectral contrast sensitivity measured with the UCST strategy or with a Vistech VCTS 6500 chart. The examination time and the spectral contrast sensitivity, respectively, were recorded for each eye in each subject. The Vistech strategy resulted in a more extended mean examination time (CI-Vistech:± (0.95) = 87 ±27 s, d.f. = 9) than the UCST strategy (CI-UCST:μ (0.95) = 13 ±4 s, d.f. = 9), and the estimated mean difference between the two strategies indicated a difference in examination time (CI-difference:μ (0.95) = [47;106] s, d.f. = 18). The overall contrast sensitivity for each group was estimated as the contrast sensitivities for the spatial frequencies sampled, integrated over the spatial frequency band sampled. The Vistech strategy resulted in a higher estimated mean overall contrast sensitivity (CI-Vistech:μ (0.95) = 116±24 log rel.·log [c.·deg^-1], d.f. = 9) than the UCST strategy (CIUCST: μ (0.95) = 74±14 log rel.·log [c.·deg^-1], d.f. = 9), and the estimated mean difference between the two strategies indicated a difference in overall contrast sensitivity (CI-difference:μ (0.95) = [15;68] log rel.·log [c.·deg^-1]), d.f. = 18). It is concluded that the UCST strategy measures spectral contrast sensitivity on the order of 7 times faster than the Vistech strategy. The slightly lower overall contrast sensitivity recorded for the UCST strategy appeared to be due to a limitation in dynamic range that can be overcome with improved design.

Citation Download Citation

Lars D. Malmqvist and Per G. Söderberg "The Uppsala Contrast Sensitivity Test (UCST): A fast strategy for clinical assessment of contrast sensitivity", Proc. SPIE 8930, Ophthalmic Technologies XXIV, 89300H (28 February 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2054403

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE