Quantitative Contrast Sensitivity Function and the Effect of Aging in Healthy Adult Eyes: A Normative Database

Abstract

Background and Objective: We sought to establish normative quantitative contrast sensitivity function (qCSF) values in healthy adult eyes and investigate the effect of age on qCSF. Patients and Methods: Healthy eyes underwent qCSF testing (adaptive sensory technology) and Snellen's visual acuity (VA). Descriptive statistics and mixed-effects multivariable linear regressions were evaluated. Results: A total of 334 eyes (290 patients) with median age 61 years (range 21 to 88) had qCSF values as follows: area under the log contrast sensitivity function curve: 1.18; contrast acuity: 1.32; contrast sensitivity (CS) at 1 cycle per degree (cpd): 1.32; CS at 1.5 cpd: 1.37; CS at 3 cpd: 1.38; CS at 6 cpd: 1.20; CS at 12 cpd: 0.69; CS at 18 cpd: 0.22. Linear reductions in qCSF values per decade of age ranged from −0.02 to −0.07 vs 0.01 for visual acuity (VA). Age had a greater effect on the majority of qCSF values than VA (beta standardized regression coefficient ranged from −0.309 to −0.141 for qCSF values vs 0.177 for VA). Conclusions: We herein establish a normative database for qCSF and quantify the effect of age on qCSF values, adding evidence towards the validation of qCSF as a clinical endpoint. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:212–219.]