Biomaterial Database

Regional threshold contrast sensitivity within the central visual field in optic neuritis. 1987

G T Plant, and R F Hess

Contrast sensitivity was measured at nine locations within the central 10 degrees of the visual field in cases of recovered optic neuritis having varying degrees of residual deficit. A sample of 82 patches of visual field was obtained in 14 cases. Circular patches of vertically orientated sinusoidal gratings, 2.5 degrees in diameter, were used. The gratings were modulated in time at 8 Hz and the effect of spatial frequency on the threshold loss determined at each visual field location. As anticipated from what is known of visual field changes in the disorder there was considerable variation in the magnitude of the contrast threshold elevation at different locations in the visual field in any one case. The variability was more marked in cases with greater overall deficit. Three types of spatial loss were encountered. The most common was a loss which increased at higher spatial frequencies, found in 65 of the 82 patches of visual field examined. In 11 the loss was unaffected by spatial frequency and in the remaining 6 the loss was maximal at an intermediate spatial frequency. There was no instance of a loss maximal at low spatial frequencies. Overall the results indicate that sensitivity to higher spatial frequencies is more likely to be impaired following an attack of optic neuritis. In the combined results the effect of spatial frequency on the threshold elevation was statistically significant at all eccentricities (P less than 0.001). Analysis of the combined results revealed no difference in the mean contrast sensitivity loss at eccentricities of zero, 3.75 degrees or 7.5 degrees for intermediate and low spatial frequencies. There is no evidence from these results to suggest that the central foveal projection (papillomacular bundle) is more likely to be affected following an attack of optic neuritis than the projections of other eccentricities within the central 10 degrees as far as mechanisms subserving luminance vision are concerned at these spatial frequencies. Overall there was slightly greater reduction in acuity within the central 5 degrees than at 7.5 degrees eccentricity (P less than 0.05). This may be accounted for by the finding that higher spatial frequencies are more affected, rather than being related to eccentricity per se.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009900	Optic Nerve	The 2nd cranial nerve which conveys visual information from the RETINA to the brain. The nerve carries the axons of the RETINAL GANGLION CELLS which sort at the OPTIC CHIASM and continue via the OPTIC TRACTS to the brain. The largest projection is to the lateral geniculate nuclei; other targets include the SUPERIOR COLLICULI and the SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEI. Though known as the second cranial nerve, it is considered part of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Cranial Nerve II,Second Cranial Nerve,Nervus Opticus,Cranial Nerve, Second,Cranial Nerves, Second,Nerve, Optic,Nerve, Second Cranial,Nerves, Optic,Nerves, Second Cranial,Optic Nerves,Second Cranial Nerves
D009901	Optic Nerve Diseases	Conditions which produce injury or dysfunction of the second cranial or optic nerve, which is generally considered a component of the central nervous system. Damage to optic nerve fibers may occur at or near their origin in the retina, at the optic disk, or in the nerve, optic chiasm, optic tract, or lateral geniculate nuclei. Clinical manifestations may include decreased visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, impaired color vision, and an afferent pupillary defect.	Cranial Nerve II Diseases,Foster-Kennedy Syndrome,Optic Disc Disorders,Optic Disk Disorders,Optic Neuropathy,Second Cranial Nerve Diseases,Cranial Nerve II Disorder,Neural-Optical Lesion,Disc Disorder, Optic,Disk Disorder, Optic,Disorder, Optic Disc,Foster Kennedy Syndrome,Lesion, Neural-Optical,Neural Optical Lesion,Neural-Optical Lesions,Neuropathy, Optic,Optic Disc Disorder,Optic Disk Disorder,Optic Nerve Disease,Optic Neuropathies,Syndrome, Foster-Kennedy
D009902	Optic Neuritis	Inflammation of the optic nerve. Commonly associated conditions include autoimmune disorders such as MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, infections, and granulomatous diseases. Clinical features include retro-orbital pain that is aggravated by eye movement, loss of color vision, and contrast sensitivity that may progress to severe visual loss, an afferent pupillary defect (Marcus-Gunn pupil), and in some instances optic disc hyperemia and swelling. Inflammation may occur in the portion of the nerve within the globe (neuropapillitis or anterior optic neuritis) or the portion behind the globe (retrobulbar neuritis or posterior optic neuritis).	Neuropapillitis,Retrobulbar Neuritis,Anterior Optic Neuritis,Posterior Optic Neuritis,Anterior Optic Neuritides,Neuritides, Anterior Optic,Neuritides, Optic,Neuritides, Posterior Optic,Neuritides, Retrobulbar,Neuritis, Anterior Optic,Neuritis, Optic,Neuritis, Posterior Optic,Neuritis, Retrobulbar,Neuropapillitides,Optic Neuritides,Optic Neuritides, Anterior,Optic Neuritides, Posterior,Optic Neuritis, Anterior,Optic Neuritis, Posterior,Posterior Optic Neuritides,Retrobulbar Neuritides
D012160	Retina	The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent.	Ora Serrata
D003711	Demyelinating Diseases	Diseases characterized by loss or dysfunction of myelin in the central or peripheral nervous system.	Clinically Isolated CNS Demyelinating Syndrome,Clinically Isolated Syndrome, CNS Demyelinating,Demyelinating Disorders,Demyelination,Demyelinating Disease,Demyelinating Disorder,Demyelinations
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014786	Vision Disorders	Visual impairments limiting one or more of the basic functions of the eye: visual acuity, dark adaptation, color vision, or peripheral vision. These may result from EYE DISEASES; OPTIC NERVE DISEASES; VISUAL PATHWAY diseases; OCCIPITAL LOBE diseases; OCULAR MOTILITY DISORDERS; and other conditions (From Newell, Ophthalmology: Principles and Concepts, 7th ed, p132).	Hemeralopia,Macropsia,Micropsia,Day Blindness,Metamorphopsia,Vision Disability,Visual Disorders,Visual Impairment,Blindness, Day,Disabilities, Vision,Disability, Vision,Disorder, Visual,Disorders, Visual,Hemeralopias,Impairment, Visual,Impairments, Visual,Macropsias,Metamorphopsias,Micropsias,Vision Disabilities,Vision Disorder,Visual Disorder,Visual Impairments
D014792	Visual Acuity	Clarity or sharpness of OCULAR VISION or the ability of the eye to see fine details. Visual acuity depends on the functions of RETINA, neuronal transmission, and the interpretative ability of the brain. Normal visual acuity is expressed as 20/20 indicating that one can see at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. Visual acuity can also be influenced by brightness, color, and contrast.	Acuities, Visual,Acuity, Visual,Visual Acuities
D014794	Visual Fields	The total area or space visible in a person's peripheral vision with the eye looking straightforward.	Field, Visual,Fields, Visual,Visual Field
D014796	Visual Perception	The selecting and organizing of visual stimuli based on the individual's past experience.	Visual Processing,Perception, Visual,Processing, Visual