New procedures for detecting early vision losses in the elderly.
With the proportion of elderly in the population increasing, and with improving methods for modifying or treating age-related changes affecting the visual system, there is an increasing need for broader and more specific assessments of vision functions in the older patient. As age increases, vision function changes are diverse. Here we discuss methods for the clinical assessment of three of these functions; namely, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and disability glare. Visual acuity remains the most useful test of visual function and improved chart designs and scoring methods enhance our ability to detect and monitor change. A variety of different approaches to assessing contrast sensitivity and contrast sensitivity testing should facilitate the diagnostic process and help to predict and explain changes in visual functioning. Disability glare can be expected to become more important in the routine evaluation of the ocular media and for this several new tests have recently become available.
School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley.
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Bailey
D000368:Aged; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity