Prospective evaluation of the effect of pseudophakic cystoid macula edema on contrast sensitivity
H. E. Ibanez, M. P. Lesher, L. J. Singerman, T. A. Rice and G. F. Keep
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema
(PCME) on contrast sensitivity. DESIGN: Best-corrected visual acuity,
fluorescein angiogram, and contrast sensitivity measurements were obtained
before surgery and at 8 weeks and 8.5 months after surgery. Eyes were
classified as having no PCME, transient PCME, or persistent PCME.
PARTICIPANTS: The study population consisted of 31 consecutive patients
undergoing extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber
intraocular lens implantation between September 1990 and March 1991. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Outcomes were best-corrected visual acuity and
contrast sensitivity. RESULTS: Analysis of variance showed a significant
decrease for all spatial frequencies at 8 weeks (P < .005) and for
higher frequencies at 8.5 months (P < .05) in both PCME groups and for
higher frequencies at 8 weeks in the transient PCME group. CONCLUSION:
Decrease in contrast sensitivity associated with PCME may account for
persistent visual difficulties despite good Snellen visual acuity.