title: Alcohol consumption and visual contrast sensitivity.
abstract: Visual contrast sensitivity (VCS) was measured in 30 alcoholic patients and 52 controls. The results showed a significant reduction in VCS for all the spatial frequencies. The mean reduction for all spatial frequencies was 2.49 dB below the level of the control group. Optimal sensitivity corresponded to a lower spatial frequency in patients than controls, i.e. 1 cycle/degree (c/d) versus 2 c/d. Curves for VCS were normal for five patients. Abnormalities in VCS were suggestive of optic nerve dysfunction for 15 patients (50%), which were probable in seven cases (23%) and possible in eight others (27%). For 10 subjects, the abnormalities were indicative of ametropia. Daily alcohol intake and daily tobacco consumption were not significantly different in the patients who displayed VCS abnormalities, reflecting alcohol-tobacco amblyopia, from those who did not. The presence of higher gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and mean corpuscular volume levels in patients who had VCS abnormalities indicative of alcohol-tobacco amblyopia suggests that alcohol consumption is involved in the development of these abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Clinique toxicologique, Hôpital Fernand Widal, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Roquelaure
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Le Gargasson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kupper
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Girre
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hispard
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dally
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects; D012016:Reference Values; D012960:Socioenvironmental Therapy