scholarly journals Selectively reduced contrast sensitivity in high schizotypy

2019 ◽  
Vol 238 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62
Author(s):  
Lauren Harper ◽  
Emily Spencer ◽  
Colin Davidson ◽  
Claire V. Hutchinson

AbstractDeficits in the ability to encode small differences in contrast between adjacent parts of an image (contrast sensitivity) are well documented in schizophrenic patients. In the present study, we sought to determine whether contrast sensitivity deficits reported in schizophrenic patients are also evident in those who exhibit high schizotypy scores in a typical (i.e., non-schizophrenic) population. Using the O-Life Questionnaire, we determined the effects of schizotypy on spatial (0.5, 2 and 8 c/deg) and spatiotemporal (0.5 and 8 c/deg at 0.5 and 8 Hz) contrast sensitivity in 73 young (18–26 years), majority female (n = 68) participants. We found differences in contrast sensitivity that were spatial, spatiotemporal and O-Life subscale specific. Spatial contrast sensitivity was significantly lower in high, compared to low schizotypes at low spatial frequencies (0.5 c/deg) in those who scored highly on the Unusual Experiences and Cognitive Disorganisation O-Life subscales. For moving stimuli, individuals with high scores on the Unusual Experiences subscale exhibited lower spatiotemporal contrast sensitivity for 0.5 and 8 c/deg patterns drifting at 8 Hz. Although the effects reported here were relatively small, this is the first report of reduced contrast sensitivity in schizotypy.

Cephalalgia ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Benedek ◽  
J Tajti ◽  
M Janáky ◽  
L Vécsei ◽  
G Benedek

Visual disturbances are frequent symptoms in migraine. Since there is a possibility of separate damage in the magno- or parvo-cellular visual pathway in migraine patients, we performed a study including the measurement of static and dynamic spatial contrast sensitivity on 15 patients suffering from migraine without aura under photopic and scotopic conditions. Fifteen healthy volunteers without primary headache served as controls. The results revealed a marked decrease in contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequencies in the migraine patients. Spatial contrast sensitivity demonstrated some lateralization, as the sensitivity to low spatial frequencies obtained through separate eyes showed significantly larger side-differences in migraine patients than in control subjects. These findings suggest that the mechanisms responsible for vision at low spatial frequencies are impaired in migraine patients. This might indicate impaired function of the magnocellular pathways in this condition.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 5-12
Author(s):  
Aisa S Alchinova ◽  
Ksenia Yu Morina ◽  
Vyacheslav V Rakhmanov ◽  
Vitaly V Potemkin ◽  
Kirill V Khripun ◽  
...  

Purpose. To compare the visual function and patient satisfaction in patients after implantation of the AcrySof ReSTOR SN6AD1 multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) and after implantation of the AcrySof SA60AТ spherical monofocal IOL and Akreos АО aspheric monofocal IOL in cataract surgery.Materials. 34 patients had SN6AD1 multifocal (group 1, 48 eyes), 19 patients had Akreos АО monofocal aspheric (group 2, 30 eyes) and 13 patients had AcrySof SA60AТ monofocal spherical (group 3, 18 eyes) IOL implantations. Patients with multifocal IOL were closely paired in age, sex, and ocular findings with patients who had monofocal IOL implantation. Six months postoperatively uncorrected/corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA/CDVA), uncorrected intermediate (60 cm) and near (35 cm) visual acuity (UNVA), the defocus curve, contrast sensitivity and a quality-of-life questionnaire were evaluated. Furthermore, independence from glasses and the presence of optical phenomena were assessed.Results. Patients in group 2 had statistically better UDVA than in group 1 (p = 0,037). There was no significant difference in the mean uncorrected intermediate and best corrected distance visual acuities between the groups. UNVA was better in group 1 than in groups 2, 3 (p < 0,0001). Photopic contrast sensitivity for high spatial frequencies was better for the groups 2 and 3. Glare was reported by 5,9% in the multifocal group. Halos occurred in 32,4% of patients in group 1. No one reported unwanted visual symptoms in monofocal groups.Conclusion. Multifocal IOLs provided higher spectacle independence and satisfactory functional vision over a broad range of distances but were associated with increased subjective visual symptoms, reduced photopic contrast sensitivity for high spatial frequencies and distance visual quality compared with the monofocal IOLs.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas P. Cottaris ◽  
Haomiao Jiang ◽  
Xiaomao Ding ◽  
Brian A. Wandell ◽  
David H. Brainard

We present a computational observer model of the human spatial contrast sensitivity (CSF) function based on the Image Systems EngineeringTools for Biology (ISETBio) simulation framework. We demonstrate that ISETBio-derived CSFs agree well with CSFs derived using traditional ideal observer approaches, when the mosaic, optics, and inference engine are matched. Further simulations extend earlier work by considering more realistic cone mosaics, more recent measurements of human physiological optics, and the effect of varying the inference engine used to link visual representations to psy-chohysical performance. Relative to earlier calculations, our simulations show that the spatial structure of realistic cone mosaics reduces upper bounds on performance at low spatial frequencies, whereas realistic optics derived from modern wavefront measurements lead to increased upper bounds high spatial frequencies. Finally, we demonstrate that the type of inference engine used has a substantial effect on the absolute level of predicted performance. Indeed, the performance gap between an ideal observer with exact knowledge of the relevant signals and human observers is greatly reduced when the inference engine has to learn aspects of the visual task. ISETBio-derived estimates of stimulus representations at different stages along the visual pathway provide a powerful tool for computing the limits of human performance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Dorofeev

Objective.To assess the dynamics of structural-functional markers in patients with combined pathology: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with the background of lutein-containing drugs at long-term follow-up.Patients and Methods.The period of research was from November 2016 to January 2018; A parallel prospective study of patients (88 eyes), mean age 67.81 ± 8.41 (M ± σ); 67.64 (63.14; 73.08) (Me, Q25%, Q75%) years with combined pathology POAG and AMD (AREDS I and II). Patients were divided into 2 groups, the first group — a study group received Retinorm, by 1 capsule 3 times a day during a meal for 1 year, a second control group of 17 patients (32 eyes) did not receive lutein-containing medicines during the observation period. The study group consisted of 29 patients (55 eyes). There were 7 males and 22 females among them. The control group consisted of 19 patients (33 eyes), 2 males and 17 females among them. Visual acuity, standard automatic computer perimetry, optical coherence tomography, determination of spatial contrast sensitivity was carried out in all patients at the beginning of the study and after 1 year.Results.The maximum correlated visual acuity (MCVA) according to the table ETDRS increased in the study group and decreased in the control group, 95% the confidence interval for the changes in the MCVA: 0.1813636; 1.018182; 1.927273 и –3.878788; –2.393939; –0.8477273 (optotypes), respectively (W = 499.5; p = 0,0002919). Statistically significant changes in the thickness of the layer of nerve fibers of the retina (RNFL) neither in the middle nor in the sectors was revealed, and the thickness of the retina in oval foveal zone by sector: upper, temporal and lower statistically significantly decreased in the control group, while remaining unchanged in the observation group (р < 0.05). Spatial contrast sensitivity (SCS) after 1 year of use Retinorm remained at the same level in the control group, while there was a statistically significant increase in spatial contrast sensitivity in the main group, especially at high spatial frequencies is observed (р < 0.05).Conclusion.The results of the study indicate a positive effect of Retinorm used for 1 year. It was reflected in the improvement visual acuity in the distance, improvement of spatial contrast sensitivity, especially at high spatial frequencies, and the preservation of structural retinal indices both in the foveal zone and peripapillary.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanwen Fang ◽  
Yi Lu ◽  
Aizhu Miao ◽  
Yi Luo

Objective. To evaluate the postoperative visual quality of cataract patients with extreme myopia after implantation of aspheric intraocular lenses (IOLs). Methods. Thirty-three eyes were enrolled in this prospectivestudy. Eighteen eyes with an axial length longer than 28 mm were included in the extreme myopia group, and the other 15 eyes were included in the nonextreme myopia group. Phacoemulsification and aspheric IOL implantation were performed. Six months after cataract surgery, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity, and wavefront aberrations were measured, and subjective visual quality was assessed. Results. The BCVA improved significantly after surgery for both groups, and patients in the nonextreme myopia group achieved better postoperative BCVA due to better retinal status of the eyes. The evaluation of contrast sensitivity without glare was the same in both groups, whereas patients in the nonextreme myopia group performed better at intermediate spatial frequencies under glare conditions. The two groups did not show a significant difference in high-order aberrations. With regard to subjective visual quality, the composite scores of both groups did not differ significantly. Conclusions. Aspheric IOLs provided good visual outcomes in cataract patients with extreme myopia. These patients should undergo careful evaluation to determine the maculopathy severity level before surgery.


2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN R. JARVIS ◽  
CHRISTOPHER M. WATHES

AbstractThe validity of the Barten theoretical model for describing the vertebrate spatial contrast sensitivity function (CSF) and acuity at scotopic light levels has been examined. Although this model (which has its basis in signal modulation transfer theory) can successfully describe vertebrate CSF, and its relation to underlying visual neurophysiology at photopic light levels, significant discrepancies between theory and experimental data have been found at scotopic levels. It is shown that in order to describe scotopic CSF, the theory must be modified to account for important mechanistic changes, which occur as cone vision switches to rod vision. These changes are divided into photon management factors [changes in optical performance (for a dilated pupil), quantum efficiency, receptor sampling] and neural factors (changes in spatial integration area, neural noise, and lateral inhibition in the retina). Predictions of both scotopic CSF and acuity obtained from the modified theory were found to be in good agreement with experimental values obtained from the human, macaque, cat, and owl monkey. The last two species have rod densities particularly suited for scotopic conditions.


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