Factors Affecting Contrast Sensitivity in Healthy Individuals: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the demographic and ocular features affecting contrast sensitivity levels in healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-four eyes of 37 subjects (7-65 years old) with refractive errors less than 1.0 diopter, no history of ocular surgery, and 20/20 visual acuity were included in the study. The participants were divided by age into three groups: group 1, 7-19 years, n=11; group 2, 20-49 years, n=15; and group 3, 50-65 years, n=11. All subjects underwent anterior and posterior segment evaluation, intraocular pressure measurements, refraction measurements, and clinical evaluation for strabismus. Contrast static test was performed using Metrovision MonPack 3 vision monitor system after measuring pupil diameter. Photopic and mesopic measurements were taken sequentially from right eyes, left eyes, and both eyes together. RESULTS: Contrast sensitivity at intermediate and high spatial frequencies was lower with increasing age. Binocular measurements were better than monocular, and mesopic measurements were better than photopic measurements at all spatial frequencies. Contrast sensitivity at higher spatial frequency was lower with hyperopic refraction values. CONCLUSION: Increasing age, small pupil diameter, hyperopia, and photopic conditions were associated with lower contrast sensitivity in healthy individuals. Binocular contrast sensitivity measurements were better than monocular contrast sensitivity measurements in all conditions and spatial frequencies.

Choroidal changes in pre-eclampsia during pregnancy and the postpartum period: comparison with healthy pregnancy.

PURPOSE: To investigate subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in patients with pre-eclampsia using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). METHODS: A sample of 73 pregnant women was studied over 28 weeks of gestation. The sample was divided into two groups: one comprising pre-eclamptic pregnant women (n=32), and the other comprising healthy pregnant women (n=41). The SFCT was determined for all patients using EDI-OCT during pregnancy and at the third month of the postpartum period. RESULTS: The SFCTs in pre-eclamptic pregnant women were 351.97 ± 22.44 and 332.28 ± 20.32 µm during the pregnancy and postpartum periods (p<0.001), respectively, whereas these values in healthy pregnant women were 389.73 ± 49.64 and 329.78 ± 22.36 µm (p<0.001), respectively. During pregnancy SFCT in pre-eclamptic pregnant women was significantly thinner than that in healthy pregnant women (p<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference during the postpartum period (p=0.623). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that SFCT is significantly decreased in pre-eclamptic pregnant women than in healthy pregnant women, despite no statistically significant difference in SFCT existing between the groups during the postpartum period.

Choroidal changes in pre-eclampsia during pregnancy and the postpartum period: comparison with healthy pregnancy / Alterações da coroide na pré-eclâmpsia durante a gravidez e período pós-parto: comparação com a gravidez saudável

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in patients with pre-eclampsia using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Methods: A sample of 73 pregnant women was studied over 28 weeks of gestation. The sample was divided into two groups: one comprising pre-eclamptic pregnant women (n=32), and the other comprising healthy pregnant women (n=41). The SFCT was determined for all patients using EDI-OCT during pregnancy and at the third month of the postpartum period. Results: The SFCTs in pre-eclamptic pregnant women were 351.97 ± 22.44 and 332.28 ± 20.32 µm during the pregnancy and postpartum periods (p<0.001), respectively, whereas these values in healthy pregnant women were 389.73 ± 49.64 and 329.78 ± 22.36 µm (p<0.001), respectively. During pregnancy SFCT in pre-eclamptic pregnant women was significantly thinner than that in healthy pregnant women (p<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference during the postpartum period (p=0.623). Conclusions: The results suggest that SFCT is significantly decreased in pre-eclamptic pregnant women than in healthy pregnant women, despite no statistically significant difference in SFCT existing between the groups during the postpartum period.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar espessura subfoveal coroidal (SFCT) em pacientes com pré-eclâmpsia usando imagens de tomografia de coerência óptica de profundidade otimizada (EDI-OCT). Método: Uma amostra de 73 mulheres grávidas foi estudado ao longo de 28 semanas de gestação. A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos: um com mulheres grávidas com pré-eclâmpsia (n=32), o outro com as mulheres grávidas saudáveis (n=41). SFCT foi determinada em todos os pacientes utilizando EDI-OCT durante a gravidez e no terceiro mês do período pós-parto. Resultados: Os SFCTs em gestantes com pré-eclâmpsia foram 351,97 ± 22,44 µm e 332,28 ± 20,32 µm durante o período de gravidez e pós-parto (p<0,001), respectivamente. Estes valores em mulheres grávidas saudáveis foram 389,73 ± 49,64 µm e 329,78 ± 22,36 µm (p<0,001), respectivamente. Durante a gravidez o SFCT foi significantemente mais fino em mulheres com pré-eclâmpsia quando comparado com as mulheres saudáveis (p<0,001). No entanto, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante no período pós-parto (p=0,623). Conclusões: Os resultados sugerem que SFCT é significativamente mais fino em gestantes com pré-eclâmpsia do que nas mulheres grávidas saudáveis, apesar de não haver diferença estatisticamente significativa na SFCT entre os grupos durante o período pós-parto.