Influence of computer parameters on Spaeth Richman Contrast Sensitivity test values using different computers

Abstract

Background To see the influence of various computer parameters on contrast sensitivity values obtained with the web based, Spaeth Richman Contrast Sensitivity (SPARCS) test.Method This prospective, observational study enrolled 80 consecutive healthy individuals free of ocular disease. Each patient underwent SPARCS CS testing on both the laptops, Apple Macbook and the Surface Pro. SPARCS scores were identified as the primary outcome variables and other ocular parameters were considered secondary outcome variables.Results Data of 160 eyes of 80 subjects who fulfilled the inclusion criteria was evaluated. The average age was 26.75 ± 5.75 years (range 18–40 years) and there was a slight female preponderance (61%, n = 49). None of the eyes had history of any ocular pathology. The Bland-Altman (BA) plot highlights a mean difference of 0.694 in measurements between the Macbook Air and Surface Pro indicating a small bias between the two methods. However, the wider limits of agreement (-12.889 to 14.276 ) suggest that the differences between the two can be substantial for some measurements. This variability is supported by the correlation matrix, which shows that while there is a positive relationship between equivalent measurements on the two devices, but they are not close to 1.Conclusion Given the importance of consistency in contrast sensitivity testing, especially for baseline and follow-up assessments, this data suggests that using different devices may introduce a level of variability that could confound results. Thus, it is essential to use the same device, especially in clinical scenarios, to get precise and reproducible results.