Contrast sensitivity in central and paracentral retina in age related maculopathy

Contrast sensitivity functions were measured in age related maculopathy (ARM) patients and age matched controls, in the central retina and 2°, 5° and 10° in the paracentral retina. There was an overall loss of sensitivity in the ARM patients, both at the fovea and paracentrally, indicating that high and low spatial frequency mechanisms are affected and that the sensory loss is not confined to the fovea. This is in accord with our recent findings on low contrast acuity, dark adaptation and reaction time.