Biomaterial Database

Automated achromatic contrast and chromatic discrimination sensitivity testing in dysthyroid optic neuropathy. 1995

V Tanner, and S J Tregear, and L G Ripley, and S F Vickers

Sussex Eye Hospital, Brighton, UK.

Our experience of patients with dysthyroid eye disease shows that normal chromatic discrimination sensitivity precludes the diagnosis of optic nerve compression (31 patients), and that clinically confirmed optic nerve compression is invariably associated with decreased chromatic discrimination sensitivity thresholds (8 patients). Dysthyroid patients enrolled in this study underwent automated achromatic contrast and chromatic discrimination sensitivity testing on presentation, with repeat assessment of those patients suspected of developing optic nerve compression. If chromatic discrimination sensitivity was decreased, patients were followed up more frequently. If abnormal chromatic discrimination sensitivity was accompanied by a relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) or decreased Snellen visual activity (VA), then optic nerve decompression was performed. The automated chromatic discrimination sensitivity test described represents a quick, reproducible and cheap clinical test which we feel is of value in assessing patients with dysthyroid eye disease. We suggest that sequential chromatic discrimination sensitivity assessment is a sensitive and effective way of monitoring patients at risk of dysthyroid optic neuropathy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009408	Nerve Compression Syndromes	Mechanical compression of nerves or nerve roots from internal or external causes. These may result in a conduction block to nerve impulses (due to MYELIN SHEATH dysfunction) or axonal loss. The nerve and nerve sheath injuries may be caused by ISCHEMIA; INFLAMMATION; or a direct mechanical effect.	Entrapment Neuropathies,Nerve Entrapments,External Nerve Compression Syndromes,Internal Nerve Compression Syndromes,Nerve Compression Syndromes, External,Nerve Compression Syndromes, Internal,Compression Syndrome, Nerve,Compression Syndromes, Nerve,Entrapment, Nerve,Entrapments, Nerve,Nerve Compression Syndrome,Nerve Entrapment,Neuropathies, Entrapment,Neuropathy, Entrapment,Syndrome, Nerve Compression,Syndromes, Nerve Compression
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
D003118	Color Perception	Mental processing of chromatic signals (COLOR VISION) from the eye by the VISUAL CORTEX where they are converted into symbolic representations. Color perception involves numerous neurons, and is influenced not only by the distribution of wavelengths from the viewed object, but also by its background color and brightness contrast at its boundary.	Color Perceptions,Perception, Color,Perceptions, Color
D004192	Discrimination, Psychological	Differential response to different stimuli.	Discrimination, Psychology,Psychological Discrimination
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly
D013959	Thyroid Diseases	Pathological processes involving the THYROID GLAND.	Disease, Thyroid,Diseases, Thyroid,Thyroid Disease
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