title: Near vision contrast sensitivity after photorefractive keratectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate near vision contrast sensitivity as a measure of visual performance after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
  
  
  METHODS
  LSU Eye Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using Holladay Contrast Acuity Test cards, near (reading) vision for five levels of contrast sensitivity was evaluated in a cross section of 53 eyes of 31 patients 25 to 732 days after PRK. Twenty-four normal eyes of 22 myopic patients served as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Near contrast sensitivity decreased at all tested contrast levels for approximately 7 months after PRK and then returned to baseline. This phenomenon paralleled the fluctuation in best corrected distance Snellen acuity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary results indicate that Snellen visual acuity and near contrast sensitivity returned to baseline within 1 year after PRK.
authors.affiliation: LSU Eye Center, Louisiana State University Medical Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans 70112, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hodkin
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Holladay
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Shahidi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*