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. 2019 Jan;63(1):73-81.
doi: 10.1007/s10384-018-0640-3. Epub 2018 Nov 10.

Establishment of a normative database and evaluation of the test-retest repeatability of the Spaeth/Richman contrast sensitivity test

Lalita Gupta  1 , Michael Waisbourd  2 , Carina T Sanvicente  3 , Michael Hsieh  4 , Sheryl S Wizov  5 , Eric E Spaeth  6 , Jesse Richman  3 , George L Spaeth  3
Affiliations

Establishment of a normative database and evaluation of the test-retest repeatability of the Spaeth/Richman contrast sensitivity test

Lalita Gupta et al. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2019 Jan.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the test-retest repeatability of a computer-based contrast sensitivity (CS) test, the Spaeth/Richman contrast sensitivity (SPARCS) test, and to determine the effects of age and lens status on CS in normal eyes.

Study design: Prospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: The participants were assessed by use of the SPARCS test in each eye 3 times. The first 2 sessions were supervised, while the third was unsupervised. CS was determined for 5 areas of vision (central, superotemporal, superonasal, inferotemporal, and inferonasal) and combined to provide a total score. The test-retest repeatability was determined using Bland-Altman analysis and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results: The total SPARCS scores (maximum possible score = 100) ranged from 86.37 (±1.09) (for those aged 20 to 29 years) to 70.71 (±2.64) (for those aged 80 to 87 years). Individuals aged between 10 and 87 years with a normal eye examination (n = 205) were enrolled. When the SPARCS scores for the first 2 sessions were compared, the ICC was 0.79, and the repeated tests were fairly equivalent (mean difference = -0.29, P = .491). The test-retest 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) ranged from -11.07 to +11.35. When the supervised sessions were compared with the unsupervised session, the ICC was 0.80, and there was slight improvement in the CS scores during the unsupervised session (mean difference = -1.15, P = .0001). The test-retest 95% LoA ranged from -9.18 to +10.60. The CS declined with advanced age and increased cataract severity (P <0.0001).

Conclusion: Strong agreement was found between repeated SPARCS scores. Older age and increased lens opacity were associated with decline in CS in 5 areas of the visual field. The SPARCS test provides reliable and reproducible assessment of CS in normal eyes.

Keywords: Cataract; Contrast sensitivity; Healthy participants; Normative database; Repeatability.

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