Assessment of potential macular function using a color saturation discrimination test in eyes with cataract.
OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy of a color saturation discrimination test (CSDT) in assessing potential macular function in eyes with cataract.


METHODS
Yamanashi Medical University and Nirasaki City Hospital, Yamanashi, Japan.


METHODS
In this prospective study of 200 consecutive eyes with cataract, the thresholds of color saturation discrimination on 6 hues were measured with the CSDT. The CSDT program was run on a personal computer and cathode-ray tube color monitor. The preoperative CSDT scores and postoperative visual acuities were compared. In addition, preoperative laser interferometry (LI) and postoperative CSDT were performed on selected patients and the results compared with their preoperative CSDT results.


RESULTS
Patients who had a CSDT score of 11 or more had a significantly lower postoperative visual acuity (P < .0001). The prevalence of neuroretinal abnormality postoperatively increased with the preoperative CSDT score. The CSDT score was not correlated with preoperative visual acuity (P = 1409). Cataract severity had little influence on the CSDT score. The preoperative results of the CSDT and Ll were correlated with the postoperative acuity, with the correlation coefficient being stronger with the CSDT (r = -0.338 and 0.276 for CSDT and Ll, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The CSDT was effective in evaluating neuroretinal pathology and predicting postoperative acuity.
Kogure
S
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Yamanashi Medical University, Japan.
Iijima
H
H
Tsukahara
S
S
D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003118:Color Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D003119:Color Perception Tests / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000502:physiology*; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*