title: Effects of a low concentration of isoflurane on contrast sensitivity in volunteers.
abstract: The effects of 0.15% quasi steady-state end-tidal isoflurane on the contrast sensitivity of five healthy volunteers were investigated by measuring their performance in computer generated letter discrimination tasks. A series of letters were displayed on a computer screen so that the luminance of the letter differed from that of the background. Two protocols were used: in the static protocol, the letter remained displayed on the screen until the subject responded, whereas in the dynamic protocol, the letter was displayed for 1/72 s only. Isoflurane significantly decreased contrast sensitivity in both protocols in all subjects.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Swart
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Lockwood
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003196:Computer Graphics; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000187:drug effects*; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D007530:Isoflurane