title: Contrast sensitivity in radial keratotomy.
abstract: In a prospective study, contrast sensitivity function was determined before and one month postsurgery in 15 consecutive cases of radial keratotomy. The results obtained pre-operatively were compared to those of an age-matched, emmetropic reference group also comprising 15 persons. Three different test conditions were employed. High luminance background levels of 130 cd/m2, low luminance levels of 3.5 cd/m2 and low luminance levels completed with a central glare source of 7.5 lux. Using an eight-incisional radial keratotomy technique with a 3 mm optical zone, a median reduction in myopia of 3.5 diopters was observed. Corrected visual acuity was not affected by the surgery. The contrast sensitivity functions of the myopic group pre-operatively compared to the post-operative values showed no significant difference for any of the three test conditions. Compared to the reference group, the myopic group pre-operatively demonstrated a statistically significant reduced contrast sensitivity for all test conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Arhus University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies