Prospective evaluation of the effect of pseudophakic cystoid macula edema on contrast sensitivity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) on contrast sensitivity.


METHODS
Best-corrected visual acuity, fluorescein angiogram, and contrast sensitivity measurements were obtained before surgery and at 8 weeks and 8.5 months after surgery. Eyes were classified as having no PCME, transient PCME, or persistent PCME.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 31 consecutive patients undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation between September 1990 and March 1991.


METHODS
Outcomes were best-corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.


RESULTS
Analysis of variance showed a significant decrease for all spatial frequencies at 8 weeks (P < .005) and for higher frequencies at 8.5 months (P < .05) in both PCME groups and for higher frequencies at 8 weeks in the transient PCME group.


CONCLUSIONS
Decrease in contrast sensitivity associated with PCME may account for persistent visual difficulties despite good Snellen visual acuity.
Ibanez
H E
HE
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Lesher
M P
MP
Singerman
L J
LJ
Rice
T A
TA
Keep
G F
GF
D002387:Cataract Extraction; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008027:Light; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology