Spaeth/richman contrast sensitivity in staging glaucoma

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate contrast sensitivity measures in glaucoma eyes with moderate to severe glaucoma. Methods: The study included 50 eyes of 47 pseudophakic patients with moderate or severe glaucoma who were seen at a tertiary center from 2017 to 2020. Assessment of contrast sensitivity using the Spaeth/Richman contrast sensitivity (SPARCS) test and the Pelli–Robson (PR) chart was compared in eyes with mean deviation (MD) < –12 decibels (dB) and > –20 dB (group 1), MD < –20 dB and > –30 dB (group 2), or MD < 0.001, R2 = 61.8%) with minimal association of other quadrantic or PR scores. Total SPARCS scores of < 45 and < 38 predicted severe glaucoma with MD crossing –20 dB (sensitivity, 70.5%; specificity, 80.9%) and –30 dB (sensitivity, 79.3%; specificity, 77.7%), respectively. The logMar visual acuity did not correlate with any contrast sensitivity measure or clinical variables in this study. Conclusions: The total SPARCS score may be used in staging glaucoma severity and to assess visual function in eyes with severe glaucoma. Translational Relevance: The SPARCS test is a useful tool for assessing visual function in advanced glaucoma beyond MD worse than –20 dB or –30 dB.