ABSTRACT Contrast sensitivity functions (CSF's) were measured for a group of 6‐month‐old infants using the visual evoked potential (VEP). Sine‐wave luminance gratings were counterphase modulated at 12 contrast reversals per s and simultaneously swept in contrast. Each contrast sweep lasted 10 s, spanning a range of 0.5 to 40% contrast in 19 equal logarithmic steps. The amplitude and phase of the response at the second harmonic were determined by a discrete Fourier transform. Contrast thresholds were estimated from a linear extrapolation to zero‐amplitude of the VEP amplitude vs. log‐contrast function. Contrast sensitivity was found to be nearly adult‐like at 1 c/deg, but was not yet mature at higher spatial frequencies.
Norcia et al. (Wed,) studied this question.